REPLICATION OF HIV-1 SUBTYPE A6 IN THE PRESENCE OF HORMONES INCLUDED IN THE MODERN HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVES

Abstract

Aim. To study how female hormones included in oral contraceptives (β-estradiol and progesteron) affect HIV-1 replication and efficacy of antiviral drugs. Material and methods. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and cell lines MT-4, Jurkat were infected with HIV-1 (subtype A6). Afterwards the cells were cultured for 6 days in the presence of β-estradiol/progesteron with or without the presence of antiretroviral drugs Lamivudin (3TC), Etravirin(ETR) and Indinavir (IDV), which are widely used for HIV treatment. Virus production was monitored by p24 levels in culture supernatants on day 6. The experemints were performed in eight repetitions. Results. There was a 1,3-1,8-fold increase of virus replication in the presence of high concentrations of both hormones (26,136 μg/ml). Incomplete suppression of viral replication was observed when infected cells were co-cultivated in the presence of hormones (26 μg, 136 μg) and antiretroviral drugs. The mean suppression rate of viral replication for β-estradiol was 77.3% and 69.8% for progesterone. However, in the absence of hormones the virus production was completely suppressed by those drugs. Conclusion. The high concentrations of steroid hormones induce HIV-1 replication and as a result reduce the efficacy of antiretroviral drugs NVP and IDV in vitro. Thus it is advisable for women at high risk of HIV infection to monitor hormone levels that change during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy before prescribing hormonal contraception.