The effect of human cytomegalovirus on the production and biologic action of interleukin-1.

The effect of mycoplasma-free human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) on the production and biologic activity of interleukin-1 (IL-1) from peripheral blood monocytes was examined. The use of biologic thymocyte assays revealed a time-dependent decrease in the IL-1 activity of both HCMV-challenged and control monocytes after initiation of culture. A decrease in the amount of IL-1 beta secreted as measured by ELISA was also detected. The amount of IL-1 beta secreted by HCMV-challenged cells was always greater than that produced by control cultures at similar times. Despite containing higher levels of IL-1 beta, supernatants from challenged cells were markedly less effective in supporting thymocyte proliferation. It is proposed that this is due to the concomitant production of an inhibitor of IL-1 activity from HCMV-challenged monocyte cultures.