OxyFile #217

Release of hydrogen peroxide from human T cell lines and 
normal lymphocytes co-infected with HIV-1 and mycoplasma.


Author:   Chochola J; Strosberg AD; Stanislawski M;

Source:   Free Radic Res 1995 Sep; 23(3):197-212

Abstract:

Human T-cell lines and normal lymphocytes persistently 
or acutely co-infected with the human immunodeficiency 
virus type 1 (HIV-1) and mycoplasmas were found to release 
hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a likely cause of oxidative stress 
in these cells. The spectrofluorometric measurement of 
H2O2 release from these cells, using the scopoletin fluorescence 
quenching technique, gave values of 16-84 p moles/10(6) 
cells/min. In CEM cells, H2O2 was released only when acutely 
co-infected with HIV-1 and mycoplasmas, and not when infected 
with either organism alone. Anti-mycoplasmal antibiotics 
strongly reduced H2O2 release, and improved cell viability 
without blocking virus replication. These results suggest 
that the simultaneous infection by HIV-1 and mycoplasma 
leads to the release of H2O2, a toxic and potentially lethal 
metabolite, which in vivo may contribute to HIV-1 path
ogenicity.