Next, we analyzed IL-1β mRNA expression in HIV-1 infected CD4+ T-cells that were untreated, or treated with Meth, or treated with Meth and IL-1RA together. We observed that HIV+Meth+IL-1RA200ng/mL samples showed only slightly increased IL-1β mRNA expression, while IL-1β mRNA expression remained unchanged in HIV+Meth+IL-1RA400ng/mL samples relative to HIV+ controls (Figure 5G). These results are consistent with the pattern we observed during HIV-1 replication, wherein Meth augments IL-1β mRNA and HIV-1 replication, but these effects are slightly reduced in the presence of 200 ng/mL IL-1RA, and completely abrogated in the presence of 400 ng/mL IL-1RA.