Jirillo E, Covelli V, Brandonisio O, Munno I, De Simone C, Mastroianni C M, Antonaci S, Riccio P
Cattedra di Immunologia, Facoltà di Medicina, Università di Bari.
Acta Neurol (Napoli). 1991 Apr;13(2):188-96.
Bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) or endotoxins are potent triggers of the cytokine (CK) cascade. These CKs are immune mediators which produce many biological effects and could play a detrimental rather than beneficial role in the host. In this review emphasis will be placed on the participation of two CKs, tumor necrosis factor [TNF-alpha and interleukin (IL-1) beta], in the pathogenetic development of HIV infection. We have found that TNF and IL-1 circulate in exaggerated amounts in the blood of HIV-infected subjects from the earliest phases of infection. Furthermore, we have observed a strict correlation between plasma LPS and IL-1 beta levels, thus indicating that endotoxins could account for the production of CKs in the course of HIV infection. Finally, the demyelinating role of TNF-alpha either in experimental models or in the course of AIDS dementia complex is outlined.
