ABSTRACT
Cultured T-lymphoma cell lines H9 and KE37-1 permanently infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1, strain HTLV-III B) were exposed to phosphatidylcholine (PC) and a PC-containing formulation "Essentiale" (PC-E). PC and PC-E, but not triglyceride, were found to inhibit growth of virus-infected cells. Additionally, the membrane lipid composition of infected and uninfected H9 cells was investigated upon exposure to PC. The HIV-1-infected cells showed a 25% increase in membrane triglyceride content and a 15% increase in membrane phospholipid saturated fatty acids. In the presence of PC, there is a further increase in triglyceride content up to 180% compared with uninfected control cells, suggesting a possible cause for the selective growth inhibition of HIV-1-infected cells by PC. The PC-E dose range effective in vitro for inhibition of HIV-1-infected cell growth falls within the range that can be reached in vivo. Formulations containing PC are well tolerated by humans and might be applicable at an early stage of HIV-1 infection to reduce the number of virus-producing cells.
