Cellular immunotherapy of advanced human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection using autologous lymph node lymphocytes: Effects on chemokine production

Abstract

A pilot study was undertaken in patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection to examine the effects of infusing autologous lymph node lymphocytes that had been cultured ex vivo in conditions designed to maximize the specific secretion of HIV-1-suppressive factors, including β chemokines. Ten patients with CD4 cell counts between 119 and 436/μL on antiretroviral drugs received a single infusion of CD4 and CD8 lymph node lymphocytes. There were no serious acute or chronic adverse clinical effects. Increases in serum levels of macrophage inflammatory protein 1β (MIP-1β) and increases in the production of MIP-1β by peripheral blood lymphocytes in response to HIV-1 env were observed. Increases in CD4 and CD8 cell counts and skin test reactivity to recall antigens and decreases in HIV1 virus load were also observed. This cellular immunotherapy can modulate β chemokine production in patients with advanced HIV-1 infection and may contribute immunorestorative and antiviral activities.