The potential role of alcohol as a cofactor in HIV infection and development of AIDS has been suggested by epidemiologic studies, but experimental evidence for the effect of alcohol is lacking, we isolated the peripheral blood mononuclear (PBM) cells from six normal volunteers before and after 40 oz. of beer (1.2 L) or the equivalent dose of ethanol in other alcoholic beverages. These cells were exposed in vitro to HIV virus. There was a significant decrease of resistance to infection after alcohol ingestion as assessed by the number of synctia formed (p less than 0.001) and levels of P24 antigen released in PBM cultures (p less than 0.001). Noninfected cultures done simultaneously showed that alcohol ingestion also decreased the abiltity of lymphocytes to produce interleukin 2 (IL-2) and soluble immune response suppressor factor (SIRS) (p less than 0.001), synthesized preminiarly be helper and suppressor T cells, respectively. Our data strngly suggest that the concomitant use fo alcohol and exposure to the virus through sexual activity or b infected needles used in drug abuse may enhance infectivity by HIV.
The Specific Aims below are not mutually exclusive and will contribute towards further elucidation of underlying cellular and humoral events which result in subsequent decrease in the resistance of host to HIV. 1. To further elucidate the alcohol-induced increase in the degree of susceptibility of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells from normal subjects to HIV infection. Amount of alcohol consumption and duration of its adverse effect on the immune system will be examined. 2. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of ethanol induced immunomodulation at cellular and humoral levels. 3. To seek out agents (e.g., lymphokines, monokines, various growth factors etc.) which might neutralize or reverse the adverse effects induced by ethanol.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01AA007858-01
Application #
3111828
Study Section
Alcohol Biomedical Research Review Committee (ALCB)
Project Start
1988-09-15
Project End
1990-08-31
Budget Start
1988-09-15
Budget End
1989-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1988
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ
Department
Type
Schools of Osteopathy
DUNS #
City
Stratford
State
NJ
Country
United States
Zip Code
08084
Bagasra, O; Amjad, M (1997) Natural immunity against human immunodeficiency viruses: prospects for AIDS vaccines. Front Biosci 2:d401-16
Bagasra, O; Bachman, S E; Jew, L et al. (1996) Increased human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells induced by ethanol: potential immunopathogenic mechanisms. J Infect Dis 173:550-8
Balla, A K; Lischner, H W; Pomerantz, R J et al. (1994) Human studies on alcohol and susceptibility to HIV infection. Alcohol 11:99-103
Bagasra, O; Kajdacsy-Balla, A; Lischner, H W et al. (1993) Alcohol intake increases human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. J Infect Dis 167:789-97
Bagasra, O; Pomerantz, R J (1993) The role of CD8-positive lymphocytes in the control of HIV-1 infection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Immunol Lett 35:83-92
Bagasra, O; Pomerantz, R J (1993) Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the presence of cocaine. J Infect Dis 168:1157-64
Bagasra, O; Howeedy, A; Pomerantz, R J (1992) Adenosine-deaminase-associated immunodeficiency. I. Differential sensitivities of lymphocyte subpopulations exposed to 2-deoxycoformycin in vivo. Clin Exp Immunol 88:383-8
Bagasra, O; Forman, L J; Howeedy, A et al. (1992) A potential vaccine for cocaine abuse prophylaxis. Immunopharmacology 23:173-9
Bagasra, O; Kajdacsy-Balla, A; Lischner, H W (1989) Effects of alcohol ingestion on in vitro susceptibility of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to infection with HIV and of selected T-cell functions. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 13:636-43
Bagasra, O; Forman, L (1989) Functional analysis of lymphocytes subpopulations in experimental cocaine abuse. I. Dose-dependent activation of lymphocyte subsets. Clin Exp Immunol 77:289-93