IL1B and AIDS: Although we did not confirm mediator release at a protein level, release of TNF-α, IL-1β, and CCL5 has been previously demonstrated in gp120-stimulated macrophage cultures.23 Our data are consistent with human data showing infiltrated macrophages and concomitant presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the DRG of AIDS patients with a history of HIV-SN,10 and the extent of axonal degeneration correlated with the level of macrophage infiltration.24