We have previously reported the potent stimulation effect of lignin on the iodination of myeloperoxidase (MPO)-positive cells. We investigated here the anti-HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) activity of lignins in the MPO-positive (HL-60) and -negative (U-937) human myelogenous leukemic cell lines. Natural lignified material and dehydrogenation polymers, but not their precursors, effectively inhibited the cytopathic effect of HIV infection in both these cells as well as in MT-4 and MOLT-4 cells. HIV infection caused significant reduction of MPO activity in HL-60 cells, regardless of the presence or absence of lignins. These data suggest that MPO might not be involved in the anti-HIV activity induction by lignins.