Increase in levels of estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy may affect intra-uterine HIV-1 injection through their effect on maternal immunocompetent cells. These hormones were examined for containing HIV-1 production from ACH-2 lymphocytes and U1 monocytes. Neither of the hormones has an effect on ACH-2, but with U1, the physiological concentrations (0.1 μg-0.1 ng) of progesterone and estrogen demonstrate significant inhibition of HIV-1 release. Except for the highest dose of 1 μg/ml, the dose—response to progesterone and estrogen was not correlated with the negative influence on proliferation of both types of cells. The results suggest that in vivo low doses of female steroids may display specific antiviral activity in monocytes but not in lymphocytes.
