OBJECTIVE: To characterize HIV-1 specific cellular immune responses at mucosal surfaces using a rapid, sensitive enzyme-linked immuno-spot (ELISPOT) technique. DESIGN: Cervicovaginal mononuclear cells obtained from cytobrush and cervicovaginal lavage were assessed for production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in response to stimulation by HIV-1 antigens. HIV-1 specific responses were compared in a cross-sectional study of two HIV-1-positive patient groups: women not currently on antiretroviral therapy with peripheral CD4 cell counts > 250 x 10(6)/l (n = 12); and women on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) (n = 9). METHODS: Mononuclear cells from peripheral blood or cervicovaginal specimens were assessed in an ELISPOT assay for responses to HIV-1 antigens expressed by recombinant vaccinia viruses. This assay detects primarily CD8 T cells and shows good correlation with MHC class I tetramer staining of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. RESULTS: HIV-1 specific IFN-gamma spot-forming cells were detected in cervicovaginal samples of one out of nine women (11%) on HAART and five out of 12 women (42%) not currently on HAART. In peripheral blood mononuclear cells, HIV-1 specific IFN-gamma spot-forming cells were significantly more numerous in women not currently on HAART than in women on HAART (P = 0.009). In most cases, antigens recognized by mucosal T cells were also recognized by PBMC; however, there were exceptions. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-1-specific antigen-reactive T cells may be detected in routine, noninvasive gynecological specimens. The results suggest that cervicovaginal HIV-1-specific T cells may be less numerous in individuals on HAART than in those not on HAART, as shown previously for HIV-1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood.
OBJECTIVE: To characterize HIV-1 specific cellular immune responses at mucosal surfaces using a rapid, sensitive enzyme-linked immuno-spot (ELISPOT) technique. DESIGN: Cervicovaginal mononuclear cells obtained from cytobrush and cervicovaginal lavage were assessed for production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in response to stimulation by HIV-1 antigens. HIV-1 specific responses were compared in a cross-sectional study of two HIV-1-positive patient groups: women not currently on antiretroviral therapy with peripheral CD4 cell counts > 250 x 10(6)/l (n = 12); and women on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) (n = 9). METHODS: Mononuclear cells from peripheral blood or cervicovaginal specimens were assessed in an ELISPOT assay for responses to HIV-1 antigens expressed by recombinant vaccinia viruses. This assay detects primarily CD8 T cells and shows good correlation with MHC class I tetramer staining of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. RESULTS:HIV-1 specific IFN-gamma spot-forming cells were detected in cervicovaginal samples of one out of nine women (11%) on HAART and five out of 12 women (42%) not currently on HAART. In peripheral blood mononuclear cells, HIV-1 specific IFN-gamma spot-forming cells were significantly more numerous in women not currently on HAART than in women on HAART (P = 0.009). In most cases, antigens recognized by mucosal T cells were also recognized by PBMC; however, there were exceptions. CONCLUSIONS:HIV-1-specific antigen-reactive T cells may be detected in routine, noninvasive gynecological specimens. The results suggest that cervicovaginal HIV-1-specific T cells may be less numerous in individuals on HAART than in those not on HAART, as shown previously for HIV-1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood.
Authors: Sean Philpott; Harold Burger; Christos Tsoukas; Brian Foley; Kathryn Anastos; Christina Kitchen; Barbara Weiser Journal: J Virol Date: 2005-01 Impact factor: 5.103
Authors: Z Hel; J Nacsa; B Kelsall; W P Tsai; N Letvin; R W Parks; E Tryniszewska; L Picker; M G Lewis; Y Edghill-Smith; M Moniuszko; R Pal; L Stevceva; J D Altman; T M Allen; D Watkins; J V Torres; J A Berzofsky; I M Belyakov; W Strober; G Franchini Journal: J Virol Date: 2001-12 Impact factor: 5.103
Authors: Pamela P Gumbi; Nonhlanhla N Nkwanyana; Alfred Bere; Wendy A Burgers; Clive M Gray; Anna-Lise Williamson; Margaret Hoffman; David Coetzee; Lynette Denny; Jo-Ann S Passmore Journal: J Virol Date: 2008-06-18 Impact factor: 5.103
Authors: Kimdar Sherefa Kemal; Brian Foley; Harold Burger; Kathryn Anastos; Howard Minkoff; Christina Kitchen; Sean M Philpott; Wei Gao; Esther Robison; Susan Holman; Carolyn Dehner; Suzanne Beck; William A Meyer; Alan Landay; Andrea Kovacs; James Bremer; Barbara Weiser Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2003-10-13 Impact factor: 11.205