Regulatory dysfunction of the interleukin-7 receptor in CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes from HIV-infected patients--effects of antiretroviral therapy.
Despite an increase in plasma IL-7 levels, the CD4 T-cell pool decrease progressively in HIV-infected patients. Here we report on our tests to check the hypothesis that defects in the IL-7 receptor system might be involved in this phenomenon. The cell surface expression of CD127 was measured ex vivo in CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes drawn from 3 groups of HIV patients. IL-7 function was also followed in vitro by measuring IL-7-driven T-cell proliferation, the induction of the CD25 activation marker, and overexpression of the antiapoptotic molecule Bcl-2. Untreated viremic patients showed a slight but significant decrease in CD127 expression on the surface of their CD4 lymphocytes. By contrast, CD127 expression was substantially altered on the surface of CD8 T lymphocytes taken from untreated viremic patients. IL-7-induced overexpression of the antiapoptotic molecule Bcl-2 was dramatically altered in viremic patients, whereas IL-7-dependent CD25 induction and T-cell proliferation were reduced. Highly active antiretroviral therapy partially corrected these defects in patients with an undetectable viral load and CD4 counts of more than 400 cells/microL. The effects of HAART were less pronounced in patients with undetectable VL but low CD4 counts (<250 cells/microL). The IL-7 receptor is dysfunctional in the CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes of HIV-infected patients. This may be due to abnormal activation of the immune system in HIV-infected patients and may contribute to the reduced CD4 count and the altered function of the CD8 compartment.[1]References
- Regulatory dysfunction of the interleukin-7 receptor in CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes from HIV-infected patients--effects of antiretroviral therapy. Colle, J.H., Moreau, J.L., Fontanet, A., Lambotte, O., Joussemet, M., Jacod, S., Delfraissy, J.F., Thèze, J. J. Acquir. Immune Defic. Syndr. (2006) [Pubmed]
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