Cytokine network and acute primary HIV-1 infection.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the relationship between cytokine serum levels, peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets and clinical picture in acute primary HIV-1 infection.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Absolute number/microliters total lymphocytes, CD4+, CD8+ and natural killer (NK) cells, as well as serum levels of soluble CD8 receptor, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interferon (IFN)-gamma, beta 2-microglobulin and 5'-neopterin were determined in 15 patients with acute primary HIV-1 infection, 16 asymptomatic HIV-1-seropositive individuals and 18 HIV-1-seronegative individuals at risk for HIV-1 infection.

RESULTS:

Acute primary HIV-1 infection was characterized by significant CD4+ lymphocytopenia with low IL-2 serum concentrations, and by high absolute number of circulating CD8+ and NK cells, with elevated serum levels of soluble CD8 receptor, IL-1 beta, IFN-gamma and 5'-neopterin. Follow-up of acute seroconverters showed a significant decrease in NK cell counts and IL-1 beta levels, with an increase of IL-6.

CONCLUSIONS:

In acute primary HIV-1 infection, significant alteration of cytokine release, possibly induced by viral antigens, could be responsible for both clinical picture and activation of cytotoxic cells through abnormal mechanisms.

• Authors: A Sinicco, A Biglino, M Sciandra, B Forno, A M Pollono, R Raiteri, P Gioannini
• Journal: AIDS (London, England) (AIDS) Vol. 7 Issue 9 Pg. 1167-72 (Sep 1993) ISSN: 0269-9370 [Print] England
• PMID: 8216972 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Cytokines
• Interleukins
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• beta 2-Microglobulin
• Biopterin
• Neopterin
• Interferon-gamma

Topics

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (blood, immunology)
• Adult
• Biopterin (analogs & derivatives, metabolism)
• Cytokines (blood)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• HIV Seropositivity (immunology)
• Humans
• Interferon-gamma (blood)
• Interleukins (blood)
• Leukocyte Count
• Lymphocyte Activation
• Lymphocyte Subsets (immunology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neopterin
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (metabolism)
• beta 2-Microglobulin (metabolism)