HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

Antiretroviral therapy-associated modulation of Th1 and Th2 immune responses in HIV-infected pregnant women.

Abstract
A successful pregnancy is characterised by an increase in Th2 cytokines and suppression of Th1 cytokine production. A Th1 to Th2 cytokine shift is also observed in the disease progression of HIV infection. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) suppresses HIV viremia, increases CD4+ cell counts and counteracts the Th1 to Th2 shift. We hypothesised that the increased risk of premature delivery reported in HIV-infected, HAART-treated pregnant women is mediated through changes in the cytokine environment in pregnancy. Here, we present results relating to levels of interleukin (IL)-2 (Th1) and IL-10 (Th2) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) measured three times during pregnancy in 49 HIV-infected women. Slope values representing the trend of repeated cytokine (IL-2-PHA, IL-2-Env, IL-10-PHA and IL-10-Env) measurements within women during pregnancy were estimated and median values compared by prematurity and HAART use. Multiple regression adjusted for HAART and cytokine slope clarified the additional and independent effect of HAART on prematurity risk. Results showed favourable immunomodulation induced by HAART with increased IL-2 and decreased IL-10. HAART use and IL-10-Env slopes were not significantly associated with prematurity risk, but each unit increase in IL-2-PHA slope was associated with an 8% increased risk of premature delivery (AOR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.0-1.17; p=0.005). HAART use in pregnancy provides significant benefits in delaying HIV disease progression and reducing the risk of mother-to-child-transmission, but may be counterproductive in terms of successful pregnancy outcome.
AuthorsSimona Fiore, Marie-Louise Newell, Daria Trabattoni, Claire Thorne, Linsay Gray, Valeria Savasi, Cecilia Tibaldi, Enrico Ferrazzi, Mario Clerici
JournalJournal of reproductive immunology (J Reprod Immunol) Vol. 70 Issue 1-2 Pg. 143-50 (Jun 2006) ISSN: 0165-0378 [Print] Ireland
PMID16423410 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References
  • Interleukin-2
  • Interleukin-10
Topics
  • Adult
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active (adverse effects, methods)
  • Female
  • HIV
  • HIV Infections (blood, drug therapy, immunology)
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-10 (immunology)
  • Interleukin-2 (immunology)
  • Obstetric Labor, Premature (chemically induced, virology)
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious (blood, drug therapy, immunology, virology)
  • Th1 Cells (drug effects, immunology)
  • Th2 Cells (drug effects, immunology)

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: