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

Reuters NewMedia, Inc. - 6 Dec 1995
Maggie Fox / Reuter

AIDS experts cautioned against greeting the finding of this suppressor as a breakthrough. But they said it may be a very important discovery that could lead to treatments for and, possibly, a vaccine against the deadly virus.

A report in the scientific journal Nature said interleukin-16, which helps the body's immune cells manufacture antibodies, acted as a natural defense against HIV.

Reinhard Kurth and colleagues at the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut in Langen, Germany, said they had found that interleukin-16, which is secreted by "suppressor" T-cells known as CD8 cells, slowed down the reproduction of HIV viruses.

This happened at the highest rate when HIV sufferers still showed no symptoms of AIDS, they said.

"This antiviral activity is positively correlated with the health of HIV-infected patients and is high during the asymptomatic stages of infection," they wrote.

HIV is especially complicated to fight off because the virus attacks the T-cells.

The scientists added that African green monkeys, which often carry their own version of the virus known as SIV, never get the ape and monkey version of AIDS (Simian Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Their interleukin-16 is similar to human interleukin-16.

"The potential implications of this study are substantial," said Anthony Fauci of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in Bethesda, Md.

Fauci said scientists have known for some time that something in the "suppressor" T-cells was inhibiting the replication of the virus, but no one knew what it was.

"We need to do some basic studies to find the basic mechanism, and then do animal studies," Fauci said in a telephone interview.

Fauci said interleukin might eventually be used as an immune system booster -- similar to gamma globulin which is given to people to boost their immune systems against certain forms of hepatitis. Not quite a vaccine, it works in a similar way.

He said the African green monkeys could serve as a good model "if this works the same in the monkeys as it does in humans. We have got to make sure we are careful and not declare a breakthrough."

There are several types of T-cells in the body's immune system. Some are "killer" cells and attack invaders such as viruses or cells that have been damaged.

Others are known as "helper" or "suppressor" cells.

Interleukins, secreted by the "suppressor" cells, stimulate the production of antibodies. These attach themselves to foreign invaders, allowing the killer cells to recognize and destroy them.

Scientists hope that if the T-cells can be helped to protect themselves, the body can more easily fight off AIDS.

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