HIV Suppression by Interleukin-16

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1995. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

HIV Suppression by Interleukin-16

Nature (12/07/95) Vol. 378, No. 6557, P. 563
Baier, Michael; Werner, Albrecht; Bannert, Norbert; et al.

Baier et al. of Germany's Paul-Ehrlich Institute report in the journal Nature that interleukin-16 (IL-16), a previously identified lymphocyte chemoattractant, suppresses the replication of both HIV and the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). African green monkeys that are naturally infected with SIV in the wild have high levels of immunodeficiency virus- suppressing lymphokine (ISL) activity, a low level of virus in the blood, and never progress to simian AIDS. The IL-16 of these monkeys is extremely similar to its human version. The protein may therefore play a role in the low viral load in healthy HIV-positive individuals and naturally infected African green monkeys. The specific method by which IL-16 inhibits HIV replication is not clear. However, the researchers note that the protein is known to bind to the CD4 receptor, and therefore may resemble some anti-CD4 antibodies that inhibit transcription. Additional research is required to assess what part of the ISL activity is related to IL-16, which may have antiviral therapeutic properties, the researchers conclude.

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