Neopterin in HIV-1 infection.

Abstract

Neopterin is well established as a reliable marker in HIV-1 infection. Neopterin concentrations measured in urine or serum indicate sensitively the course and progression of the disease as well as efficacy of anti-retroviral therapy. The main trigger for neopterin production is Th1-type cytokine interferon-gamma. During acute HIV-1 infection, enhanced formation of neopterin occurs already at a very early time point, before antibody seroconversion takes place. After this stage, neopterin concentrations in serum and urine closely correlate with virus load in the circulation of HIV-1-infected patients. Data provide evidence for an important role of immune activation and Th1-type cytokine interferon-gamma in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection. This review subsumes the importance of neopterin as a marker in HIV-1 infection. Further evidence is increasing, that neopterin derivatives might modulate immune response by interfering with the cellular redox balance, activating redox-sensitive transcription factors, or inducing apoptosis in specific cell types. The possible impact of neopterin derivatives and of other biochemical pathways induced by interferon-gamma such as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in chronic diseases like HIV-1 infection is discussed.

• Authors: Barbara Wirleitner, Katharina Schroecksnadel, Christiana Winkler, Dietmar Fuchs
• Journal: Molecular immunology (Mol Immunol) Vol. 42 Issue 2 Pg. 183-94 (Feb 2005) ISSN: 0161-5890 [Print] England
• PMID: 15488607 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Neopterin
• Interferon-gamma

Topics

• Apoptosis
• Biomarkers (analysis)
• HIV Infections (diagnosis, etiology)
• Humans
• Immunity, Cellular
• Interferon-gamma (biosynthesis)
• Neopterin (analysis, biosynthesis, physiology)
• Oxidative Stress