The health impacts of windstorms: a systematic literature review.

INTRODUCTION: This systematic literature review aims to identify documented impacts that windstorms have on human health. Windstorms occur frequently and some researchers have predicted an increase in severe gales in the future, resulting in an urgent need to understand the related patterns of morbidity and mortality. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic literature review. METHODS: A systematic literature review of international evidence on the impacts of windstorms on human health was conducted in May 2012. RESULTS: This review of published evidence demonstrates that human health can be severely affected by windstorms. Direct effects occur during the impact phase of a storm, causing death and injury due to the force of the wind. Becoming airborne, being struck by flying debris or falling trees and road traffic accidents are the main dangers. Indirect effects, occurring during the pre- and post-impact phases of the storm, include falls, lacerations and puncture wounds, and occur when preparing for, or cleaning up after a storm. Power outages are a key issue and can lead to electrocution, fires and burns and carbon monoxide poisoning from gasoline powered electrical generators. Additionally, worsening of chronic illnesses due to lack of access to medical care or medication can occur. Other health impacts include infections and insect bites. CONCLUSION: Public health advice can reduce morbidity and mortality from windstorms. Findings from this review will provide material for increased awareness and education amongst the public and healthcare professionals to prevent and prepare for these health impacts. Nevertheless, more research is needed to identify more specific patterns of health impacts and how these could be reduced in the future.

Identification of homologous regions in human immunodeficiency virus I gp41 and human MHC class II beta 1 domain. I. Monoclonal antibodies against the gp41-derived peptide and patients' sera react with native HLA class II antigens, suggesting a role for autoimmunity in the pathogenesis of acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Homologous regions of five amino acids each, were identified in the NH2-terminal domain of human class II beta chains and the COOH terminus of HIV I envelope protein. The homologous regions are highly conserved among different DR and DQ alleles and also among different isolates of HIV. Septamers containing these sequences were synthesized and used for the generation of murine mAbs. The mAbs selected for this study were raised against the HIV I-derived peptide and reacted strongly not only with the immunizing peptide, but also with the homologous class II-derived peptide. These mAbs also reacted with native MHC class II antigens expressed on human B cell lines and on murine fibroblast L cell lines transfected with the genes coding for the alpha and beta chains of human class II antigens. Furthermore, sera from 36% of AIDS patients tested contained antibodies that reacted with the class II-derived peptide, as well as with intact class II molecule-rich cell extracts. Such antibodies in HIV I-infected individuals may recognize self class II antigens, triggering autoimmune mechanisms that could contribute to the development of immunodeficiency in AIDS patients.

Existence of an orientational electric dipolar response in c60 single crystals.

The dielectric constant in and conductivity sigma of undoped C(60) single crystals have been measured as a function of temperature, 10 K < T < 330 K, and frequency, 0.2 kilohertz < f < 100 kilohertz. On cooling below the first-order structural phase transition at 260 K, a Debye-like relaxational contribution to the dielectric response is observed, which requires the presence of permanent electric dipoles. The relaxation rate is thermally activated with a broad distribution of energies centered at 270 millielectron volts. The existence of a dipole moment in C(60) is unexpected, because it is precluded by symmetry for the pure ordered cubic phase. These data suggest that the high degree of frozen-in orientational disorder of the C(60) molecules is responsible for the existence of electric dipolar activity.

The composite genome of the legume symbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti.

The scarcity of usable nitrogen frequently limits plant growth. A tight metabolic association with rhizobial bacteria allows legumes to obtain nitrogen compounds by bacterial reduction of dinitrogen (N2) to ammonium (NH4+). We present here the annotated DNA sequence of the alpha-proteobacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti, the symbiont of alfalfa. The tripartite 6.7-megabase (Mb) genome comprises a 3.65-Mb chromosome, and 1.35-Mb pSymA and 1.68-Mb pSymB megaplasmids. Genome sequence analysis indicates that all three elements contribute, in varying degrees, to symbiosis and reveals how this genome may have emerged during evolution. The genome sequence will be useful in understanding the dynamics of interkingdom associations and of life in soil environments.

Evolution: when was life's first branch point?

A recent analysis of protein sequences from diverse organisms has estimated that all extant species share a common ancestor that lived only 2 billion years ago; but how can this be squared with the fossil evidence that complex cells existed up to 3.5 billion years ago?

Common epitope in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) I-GP41 and HLA class II elicits immunosuppressive autoantibodies capable of contributing to immune dysfunction in HIV I-infected individuals.

We previously reported the identification of highly conserved homologous regions located in the carboxy terminus of the HIV I gp41-envelope (aa 837-844), and the amino-terminal of the beta chain of all human HLA class II antigens (aa 19-25). Murine monoclonal antibodies, raised against synthetic peptides from these homologous regions, bound not only to the isolated peptides, but also to the native gp160 and class II molecules. In this study one-third of sera from HIV I-infected individuals, at different disease stages, were found to react with both the gp41 and class II-derived peptides. These sera also reacted with "native" HLA class II molecules. The potential affects of such autoantibodies on normal immune functions were examined. It was found that in the presence of class II-cross-reactive (but not control) sera, the proliferative responses of normal CD4+ T cells to tetanus toxoid and allogeneic stimuli were markedly decreased. In addition, these sera could eliminate class II-bearing cells by antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Similar affects were seen with affinity-purified IgG antibodies from patients' sera. Thus, the "molecular mimicry" between HIV I and HLA class II antigens, may lead to the generation of autoantibodies in HIV I-infected individuals that may contribute to the early functional impairment of CD4+ T cell observed in many HIV I-infected individuals.

Modulating immunogenicity of factor IX by fusion to an immunoglobulin Fc domain: a study using a hemophilia B mouse model.

Essentials Fc-fusion increases a therapeutic's half-life, but FcγR interactions may impact immunogenicity. Species-specific Fc-FcγR interactions allow for mechanistic in vivo studies using mouse models. Fc fusion modulates the immune response to factor IX in hemophilia B mice by eliciting Th1 bias. This model could inform future studies of IgE-associated anaphylaxis in hemophilia B patients. SUMMARY: Background Fc fusion is a platform technology used to increase the circulating half-life of protein and peptide therapeutics. However, there are potential immunological consequences with this approach, such as changes in the molecule's immunogenicity as well as possible interactions with a repertoire of Fc receptors (FcR) that can modulate immune responses. Objectives/Methods Using a mouse hemophilia B (HB) model, we compared the immune responses to infusions of recombinant human factor IX (hFIX) and hFIX fused to mouse IgG2a-Fc (hFIX-mFc). The mFc was employed to allow species-specific Fc-FcγR interactions. Results Although treatment with hFIX-mFc altered the early development of anti-FIX IgG, no significant differences in anti-FIX antibody titers were observed at the end of the treatment regimen (5 weeks) or upon anamnestic response (5 months). However, treatment with hFIX-mFc elicited higher FIX-neutralizing antibody levels and resulted in reduced IgE titers compared with the hFIX-treated group. Additionally, differences in plasma cytokine levels and in vitro CD4+ T-cell responses suggest that whereas hFIX treatment triggered a Th2-biased immune response, hFIX-mFc treatment induced Th1-biased CD4+ T cells. We also show that hFIX-mFc bound to soluble FcγRs and engaged with FcγRs on different cell types, which may impact antigen presentation. Conclusions These studies provide a model system to study how Fc-fusion proteins may affect immune mechanisms. We used this model to demonstrate a plausible mechanism by which Fc fusion may modulate the IgE response to hFIX. This model may be appropriate for investigating the rare but severe IgE-mediated anaphylaxis reaction to hFIX infusions in HB patients.

A source of small repeats in genomic DNA.

The processes of spontaneous mutation are known to be influenced by neighboring DNA. Imperfect nearby repeats in the neighboring DNA have been observed to mutate to form perfect repeats. The repeats may be either direct or inverted. Such a mutational process should create perfect direct and inverted repeats in intergenic DNA. A larger than expected number of direct repeats has generally been observed in a wide range of species in both coding and noncoding DNA. Simulations are carried out to determine how this process might influence the repetitive structure of genomic DNA. These simulations show that small repeats created by this kind of a mutational process can explain the excess number of repeats in intergenic DNA. The simulations suggest that this mechanism may be a common cause of mutations, including single-base changes. The influences of the distance between imperfect repeats and of their degree of similarity are investigated.

In vitro and in vivo properties of novel nucleoside transport inhibitors with improved pharmacological properties that potentiate antifolate activity.

The activity of antimetabolite inhibitors of de novo deoxyribonucleotide biosynthesis can be compromised by the salvage of extracellular preformed nucleosides and nucleobases. Dipyridamole (DP) is a nucleoside transport inhibitor that has been used clinically in an attempt to increase antimetabolite activity; however, DP binds tightly to the serum protein alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) thereby rendering this therapeutic strategy largely ineffective. Four novel DP analogues (NU3076, NU3084, NU3108, and NU3121) have been developed with substitutions at the 2,6- and 4,8-positions of the pyrimidopyrimidine ring. The novel DP analogues inhibit thymidine (dThd) uptake into L1210 cells in vitro (NU3076 IC(50), 0.25 microM; NU3084 IC(50), 0.27 microM; NU3108 IC(50), 0.31 microM; NU3121 IC(50), 0.26 microM; and DP IC(50), 0.37 microM), but, unlike DP, their activity remains largely unaffected in the presence of 5 mg/ml AGP. The four DP analogues inhibit dThd and hypoxanthine rescue from Alimta (multitargeted antifolate)-induced growth inhibition in A549 and COR L23 human lung carcinoma cell lines in the presence of 2.5 mg/ml AGP, whereas the activity of DP is completely abolished. i.p. administration of 10 mg/kg NU3108, NU3121, and DP produced peak plasma concentrations of 4.4, 2.1, and 6.7 microM, respectively, and levels were sustained above 1 microM for approximately 45 min (DP) and 120 min (NU3108 and NU3121). [3H]thymidine incorporation into COR L23 xenografts grown in CD1 nude mice was reduced by 64% (NU3108), 44% (NU3121), and 65% (DP) 2 h after administration of the nucleoside transport inhibitors. In conclusion, two novel DP analogues (NU3108 and NU3121) have been identified that do not bind to AGP and that display superior pharmacokinetic profiles in comparison to DP and inhibit [3H]thymidine incorporation into human tumor xenografts in vivo.

Reaction-kinetic parameters of glycidamide as determinants of mutagenic potency.

Values for reaction-kinetic parameters of electrophiles can be used to predict mutagenic potency. One approach employs the Swain-Scott relationship for comparative kinetic studies of electrophilic agents reacting with nucleophiles. In this way glycidamide (GA), the putatively mutagenic/carcinogenic metabolite of acrylamide, was assessed by determining the rates of reaction with different nucleophiles. The rate constants (kNu) were determined using the "supernucleophile" cob(I)alamin [Cbl(I)] as an analytical tool. The Swain-Scott parameters for GA were compared with those of ethylene oxide (EO). The substrate constants, s values, for GA and for EO were found to be 1.0 and 0.93, respectively. The reaction rates at low values of nucleophilic strength (n=1-3), corresponding to oxygens in DNA, were determined to be 2-3.5 times higher for GA compared to EO. GA was also more reactive than EO towards other nucleophiles (n=0-6.4). The mutagenic potency of GA was determined in Chinese hamster ovary cells (hprt mutations in CHO-AA8 cells per dose unit with gamma-radiation as reference standard). The potency of GA was estimated to be about three mutations per 10(5) cells and mMh corresponding to about 40 rad-equ./mMh. A preliminary comparison of the mutagenic potency (per mMh and as rad-equivalents) of GA and EO shows an approximately seven times higher potency for GA. A higher mutagenic potency of GA compared to EO is compatible with expectation from reaction-kinetic data of the two compounds. The data confirmed that GA is not a strong mutagen, which is in line with what is expected for simple oxiranes. The present study shows the value of cob(I)alamin for the determination of reaction-kinetic parameters and their use for prediction of mutagenic potency.

Immunity and protection against Brucella abortus.

Brucella abortus is an intracellular pathogen that causes disease in cattle and in humans. The response against B. abortus involves the whole gamut of the immune system, from innate to adaptive immunity resulting from stimulation of antigen-presenting cells, NK cells, CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, and B cells.

The role of inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase as resistance-modifying agents in cancer therapy.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) plays an important role in a number of cellular processes including DNA repair. Since poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation occurs in response to radiation- or drug-induced DNA damage, inhibitors of the enzyme may enhance the antitumour activity of radiotherapy or cytotoxic drug treatment. In this review the development of PARP inhibitors is discussed, and structure-activity relationships amongst inhibitors of the enzyme are presented. Studies to date regarding the in vitro and in vivo activity of PARP inhibitors, as resistance modifying agents in cancer therapy, are also overviewed.

Resistance-modifying agents. 5. Synthesis and biological properties of quinazolinone inhibitors of the DNA repair enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP).

Clinical studies concerning the role of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in the repair of drug- and radiation-induced DNA damage have been impeded by the poor solubility, lack of potency, and limited specificity of currently available inhibitors. A series of 2-alkyl- and 2-aryl-substituted 8-hydroxy-, 8-methoxy-, and 8-methylquinazolin-4(3H)-ones has been synthesized and evaluated for PARP inhibitory activity in permeabilized L1210 murine leukemia cells. 8-Methoxy- and 8-methylquinazolinones (14-34) were readily prepared by acylation of 3-substituted anthranilamides with the appropriate acid chloride, followed by base-catalyzed cyclization. The requisite 8-hydroxyquinazolinones (6, 35-39) were synthesized by demethylation of the corresponding 8-methoxyquinazolinones with BBr3. N-Methylation of 8-methoxy-2-methylquinazolinone (15) with MeI, followed by O-demethylation by BBr3, afforded the control N3-methylquinazolinones 42 and 43, respectively. In general, an 8-hydroxy or 8-methyl substituent enhanced inhibitory activity in comparison with an 8-methoxy group. 2-Phenylquinazolinones were marginally less potent than the corresponding 2-methylquinazolinones, but the introduction of an electron-withdrawing or electron-donating 4'-substituent on the 2-aryl ring invariably increased potency. This was particularly evident in the 8-methylquinazolinone series (IC50 values 0.13-0.27 microM), which are among the most potent PARP inhibitors reported to date. N3-Methylquinazolinones 42 and 43 were essentially devoid of activity (IC50 values > 100 microM). In studies with L1210 cells in vitro, a concentration of 200 microM 8-hydroxy-2-methylquinazolinone (6, NU1025) (IC50 value 0.40 microM) potentiated the cytotoxicity of the monomethylating agent 5-(3-methyltriazen-1-yl)imidazole-4-carboxamide and gamma-radiation 3.5- and 1.4-fold, respectively, at the 10% survival level.

Resistance-modifying agents. 9. Synthesis and biological properties of benzimidazole inhibitors of the DNA repair enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase.

The nuclear enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) facilitates the repair of DNA strand breaks and is implicated in the resistance of cancer cells to certain DNA-damaging agents. Inhibitors of PARP have clinical potential as resistance-modifying agents capable of potentiating radiotherapy and the cytotoxicity of some forms of cancer chemotherapy. The preclinical development of 2-aryl-1H-benzimidazole-4-carboxamides as resistance-modifying agents in cancer chemotherapy is described. 1H-Benzimidazole-4-carboxamides, particularly 2-aryl derivatives, are identified as a class of potent PARP inhibitors. Derivatives of 2-phenyl-1H-benzimidazole-4-carboxamide (23, K(i) = 15 nM), in which the phenyl ring contains substituents, have been synthesized. Many of these derivatives exhibit K(i) values for PARP inhibition < 10 nM, with 2-(4-hydroxymethylphenyl)-1H-benzimidazole-4-carboxamide (78, K(i) = 1.6 nM) being one of the most potent. Insight into structure-activity relationships (SAR) for 2-aryl-1H-benzimidazole-4-carboxamides has been enhanced by studying the complex formed between 2-(3-methoxyphenyl)-1H-benzimidazole-4-carboxamide (44, K(i) = 6 nM) and the catalytic domain of chicken PARP. Important hydrogen-bonding and hydrophobic interactions with the protein have been identified for this inhibitor. 2-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-1H-benzimidazole-4-carboxamide (45, K(i) = 6 nM) potentiates the cytotoxicity of both temozolomide and topotecan against A2780 cells in vitro (by 2.8- and 2.9-fold, respectively).

Resistance-modifying agents. 8. Inhibition of O(6)-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase by O(6)-alkenyl-, O(6)-cycloalkenyl-, and O(6)-(2-oxoalkyl)guanines and potentiation of temozolomide cytotoxicity in vitro by O(6)-(1-cyclopentenylmethyl)guanine.

A series of O(6)-allyl- and O(6)-(2-oxoalkyl)guanines were synthesized and evaluated, in comparison with the corresponding O(6)-alkylguanines, as potential inhibitors of the DNA-repair protein O(6)-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT). Simple O(6)-alkyl- and O(6)-cycloalkylguanines were weak AGT inactivators compared with O(6)-allylguanine (IC(50) = 8.5 +/- 0.6 microM) with IC(50) values ranging from 100 to 1000 microM. The introduction of substituents at C-2 of the allyl group of O(6)-allylguanine reduced activity compared with the parent compound, while analogous compounds in the O(6)-(2-oxoalkyl)guanine series exhibited very poor activity (150-1000 microM). O(6)-Cycloalkenylguanines proved to be excellent AGT inactivators, with 1-cyclobutenylmethylguanine (IC(50) = 0.55 +/- 0.02 microM) and 1-cyclopentenylmethylguanine (IC(50) = 0.39 +/- 0.04 microM) exhibiting potency approaching that of the benchmark AGT inhibitor O(6)-benzylguanine (IC(50) = 0.18 +/- 0.02 microM). 1-Cyclopentenylmethylguanine also inactivated AGT in intact HT29 human colorectal carcinoma cells (IC(50) = 0.20 +/- 0.07 microM) and potentiated the cytotoxicity of the monomethylating antitumor agent Temozolomide by approximately 3- and 10-fold, respectively, in the HT29 and Colo205 tumor cell lines. The observation that four mutant AGT enzymes resistant to O(6)-benzylguanine also proved strongly cross-resistant to 1-cyclopentenylmethylguanine indicates that the O(6)-substituent of each compound makes similar binding interactions within the active site of AGT.

Identification of novel purine and pyrimidine cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors with distinct molecular interactions and tumor cell growth inhibition profiles.

Substituted guanines and pyrimidines were tested as inhibitors of cyclin B1/CDK1 and cyclin A3/CDK2 and soaked into crystals of monomeric CDK2. O6-Cyclohexylmethylguanine (NU2058) was a competitive inhibitor of CDK1 and CDK2 with respect to ATP (Ki values: CDK1, 5 +/- 1 microM; CDK2, 12 +/- 3 microM) and formed a triplet of hydrogen bonds (i.e., NH-9 to Glu 81, N-3 to Leu 83, and 2-NH2 to Leu 83). The triplet of hydrogen bonding and CDK inhibition was reproduced by 2,6-diamino-4-cyclohexylmethyloxy-5-nitrosopyrimidine (NU6027, Ki values: CDK1, 2.5 +/- 0.4 microM; CDK2, 1.3 +/- 0.2 microM). Against human tumor cells, NU2058 and NU6027 were growth inhibitory in vitro (mean GI50 values of 13 +/- 7 microM and 10 +/- 6 microM, respectively), with a pattern of sensitivity distinct from flavopiridol and olomoucine. These CDK inhibition and chemosensitivity data indicate that the distinct mode of binding of NU2058 and NU6027 has direct consequences for enzyme and cell growth inhibition.

Inflammatory mediator release from human monocytes via immobilized Fc receptors. Its potential role in adverse reactions to systemic monoclonal antibody therapy.

Human monocytes released superoxide anion, IL-1, and TNF subsequent to binding of their Fc receptor I to murine IgG2a or rabbit IgG. Fc receptor II binding to murine IgG2b or IgG1 had similar consequences. Immobilized murine monoclonal antibodies, IgG2a anti-CD3 (OKT3) or IgG1 anti-CD44 also induced superoxide anion and monokine production. Monocytes bound OKT3 via FcRI and responded to immobilized OKT3 by inflammatory mediator release in the absence of T cells. These results suggest that direct interaction of immunoglobulins with monocytes via FcR may represent an important phase of the pathophysiology of adverse reactions to systemic monoclonal antibodies.

HIV peptide conjugated to heat-killed bacteria promotes antiviral responses in immunodeficient mice.

Enhancement of immunity in the setting of HIV infection is difficult owing to loss of functional CD4+ T cells. The MHC class II-deficient mouse (II-/-) environment simulates that of the immunocompromised HIV-infected individual, since these mice have low CD4+ T cell numbers, defective CD4-dependent responses, and are susceptible to opportunistic infection. This strain was used to test whether heat-killed Brucella abortus (BA), covalently conjugated to the V3 peptide of HIV-1 (MN), could elicit anti-HIV responses. V3-BA, but not the T-dependent antigen V3-KLH, induced high levels of IL-12, IFN-gamma, and IL-10 mRNA in both wild-type (WT) and II-/- mice within 24 hr of injection. V3-BA-treated, but not V3-KLH-treated, II-/- mice developed serum IgG and IgA anti-V3 antibodies, with IgG2b and IgG3 as the predominant isotype. Viral neutralization studies, using a syncytium inhibition assay, demonstrated that the antibodies generated by V3-BA in II-/- mice were capable of neutralizing HIV. These experiments demonstrate that a heat-inactivated bacterium such as BA, when used as a carrier, can generate a cytokine environment that results in the production of neutralizing antiviral antibodies in an immunodeficient host. Such strategies could be important in the development of immunotherapies and vaccines for HIV-1 patients.

Production of a novel antigen by conjugation of HIV-1 to Brucella abortus: studies of immunogenicity, isotype analysis, T-cell dependency, and syncytia inhibition.

In the present study inactivated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) was conjugated to Brucella abortus and tested for immunogenicity in normal and anti-L3T4-treated BALB/c mice. HIV-BA was more immunogenic than uncoupled HIV in normal mice, since 6-fold less virus in HIV-BA preparations elicited higher titer responses than HIV-1 alone. Furthermore, the HIV-BA antibody response reached higher levels before the HIV-1 response. Immunoblot analysis showed that most of the HIV-1 antigens were recognized by antibodies induced by either HIV-1 or HIV-BA. Isotype analysis revealed that HIV-1 induced similar levels of IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies, whereas the IgG2a responses to HIV-BA were more pronounced than the IgG1 response. These different IgG subclass patterns suggest that conjugation of HIV-1 to BA changed the immunogenic nature of HIV-1. The requirement for helper T cells was examined by immunizing mice that were depleted of CD4+ T cells by in vivo anti-L3T4 treatment. Under these conditions the IgG responses to HIV-1 were completely eliminated. Although HIV-BA antibody responses were markedly reduced in anti-L3T4-treated mice, anti-HIV-1 antibodies, mainly of the IgG2a isotype, were produced. The antibodies generated by HIV-1 and HIV-BA immunization were also tested for their ability to inhibit syncytia formed by infecting CD4 + CEM cells with gp160 vaccinia. Sera from normal mice, immunized with either HIV-1 or HIV-BA were capable of inhibiting syncytia. In contrast, following anti-L3T4 treatment, only mice immunized with HIV-BA, but not HIV-1, produced antibodies capable of inhibiting syncytia.

Brucella abortus stimulates human T cells from uninfected and HIV-infected individuals to secrete IFN gamma: implications for use of Brucella abortus as a carrier in development of human vaccines.

Brucella abortus has been characterized as a T-independent type 1 antigen/carrier in human and murine antibody responses. In this report it is shown that BA can activate human CD3+ T cells to secrete interferon-gamma (IFN gamma). Unlike mitogens, such as phytohemagglutinin, this stimulation was associated with minimal T-cell proliferation or upregulation of interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor. Monocytes inhibited BA-mediated IFN gamma secretion since their removal resulted in increased responses, whereas adding monocytes back to cultures caused inhibition. BA elicited IFN gamma from CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, although CD4+ T cells secrete significantly more (p less than 0.05) IFN gamma than CD8+ T cells. The ability of BA to elicit IFN gamma from human T cells was inhibited in the presence of anti-Tac, suggesting that BA also induces IL-2 secretion and that IL-2 is involved in BA-mediated IFN gamma secretion. Detectable IL-2 secretion was induced by BA in the presence of anti-Tac. Exogenous IL-2 acted synergistically with BA to enhance IFN gamma secretion, suggesting that the amount of IL-2 released by BA alone was insufficient for optimal IFN gamma release. Furthermore, addition of IL-2 to T cells from individuals with poor or absent responses to BA, including individuals infected with HIV-1, restored their ability to secrete IFN gamma in response to BA. These data indicate that BA is capable not only of activating human B cells but can also induce T cells, probably of the TH1 phenotype, to secrete IFN gamma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)