Interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha specifically induce formation of cytomegalovirus-permissive monocyte-derived macrophages that are refractory to the antiviral activity of these cytokines.

Monocytes/macrophages are key cells in the pathogenesis of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). Although HCMV infection in monocytes is restricted to early events of gene expression, productive infection has been demonstrated in differentiated macrophages in vitro. We examined the cellular and cytokine components that are essential for HCMV replication in Concanavalin A-stimulated monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM). By negative selection, depletion of CD8+ T lymphocytes, but not CD4+ T lymphocytes, CD19+ B cells, or CD56+ NK cells, resulted in a 60-70% reduction in the number of HCMV-infected MDM, and a 4 log decrease in virus production. Neutralization of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, but not IL-1, IL-2, or TGF-beta, decreased production of virus by 4 logs and 2 logs, respectively. Subsequently, addition of recombinant IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha to purified monocyte cultures was sufficient to produce HCMV-permissive MDM. While IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha possess antiviral properties, addition of these cytokines to permissive MDM cultures did not affect production of HCMV. Thus, rather than inhibiting replication of HCMV, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha specifically induce differentiation of monocytes into HCMV-permissive MDM, which are resistant to the antiviral effects of these cytokines.