Interferon alpha (IFN)-Macrophage Interactions in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection: Role of IFN in the Tempo and Progression of HIV Disease

Components of the host immune response that constrain virus replication and affect long-lasting antiviral immunity following HIV infection are incompletely defined. IFNs are critical participants in host antiviral processes. While IFN induces significant anti-retroviral activities, they also serve as harbingers for poor clinical outcomes. Moreover, monocytes, a major cellular source of IFN and HIV in man, are poor producer cells for IFN following HIV infection. Indeed, HIV infection of monocytes results in a diminished production and induction of IFN. IFN is only produced during cell to cell contact between HIV-infected cells and uninfected PBMC. Analysis of the biologic activity of HIV-induced IFN(s) shows that it poorly restricts HIV replication. Thus, the role of IFN in HIV disease is complex and seemingly paradoxical. The diminished capacity of HIV-infected monocytes to produce IFN and the production of defective IFNs likely reflect specific viral adaptive mechanisms for persistent infection.