Different effects of phorbol ester derivates on human immunodeficiency virus 1 replication in lymphocytic and monocytic human cells.

The mode of action of the phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) on the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) replication in human lymphocytes and monocytes was studied. PDBu and PMA appear to have similar effects on the regulation of HIV-1 replication in acutely infected cells. Here we show a significantly increased replication of HIV-1 induced by PDBu and PMA in Molt-4 and Jurkat cells, but a reduced replication in THP-1 and U-937 cells. Moreover, quantitatively different activity of the two derivatives in relation to HIV-1 replication was observed. PDBu proved to be a stronger stimulator or suppressor of HIV-1 replication as compared to PMA. Although the precise mechanism of the activation of HIV-1 replication by phorbol ester derivatives is not clear, it can be assumed that the hydrophilycity of PDBu may cause its stronger effect.