OBJECTIVE: Immune reconstitution after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in HIV-infected patients has led to an increase in the number of new CD4 T lymphocytes. Neolymphopoiesis in the thymus has been proposed as a mechanism in T-cell regeneration. Nevertheless, factors involved in the regeneration of T cells by thymic-dependent pathways in HIV-infected patients under HAART are still unknown and might be of relevance in HIV infection. The aim of this work was to study the role of IL-7 in the thymic rebound of HIV-infected adults under HAART. DESIGN: To study the association between IL-7 and thymic function-related markers, these variables were measured in 49 antiretroviral-naive HIV-infected patients at baseline and at weeks 12, 24, 36 and 48 of treatment. METHODS: Thymic function-related markers: thymic volume, naive phenotype, and T-cell receptor excision circles (TREC) bearing-cells, were evaluated by computed tomography, flow cytometry, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. IL-7 levels were evaluated using a high sensitivity colorimetric enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: At baseline, we found an inverse correlation between IL-7 levels and thymic function-associated parameters: thymic volume, naive T cells and TREC-bearing cells. After 48 weeks of therapy increased levels of thymic function-related markers along with a significant decrease in IL-7 levels were found. IL-7 levels at baseline were the only independently associated variable with respect to changes in thymic volume at weeks 12, 24 and 48 of follow-up. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that IL-7 plays an important role in thymic rebound in adult HIV-infected patients under HAART.
OBJECTIVE: Immune reconstitution after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in HIV-infectedpatients has led to an increase in the number of new CD4 T lymphocytes. Neolymphopoiesis in the thymus has been proposed as a mechanism in T-cell regeneration. Nevertheless, factors involved in the regeneration of T cells by thymic-dependent pathways in HIV-infectedpatients under HAART are still unknown and might be of relevance in HIV infection. The aim of this work was to study the role of IL-7 in the thymic rebound of HIV-infected adults under HAART. DESIGN: To study the association between IL-7 and thymic function-related markers, these variables were measured in 49 antiretroviral-naive HIV-infectedpatients at baseline and at weeks 12, 24, 36 and 48 of treatment. METHODS: Thymic function-related markers: thymic volume, naive phenotype, and T-cell receptor excision circles (TREC) bearing-cells, were evaluated by computed tomography, flow cytometry, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. IL-7 levels were evaluated using a high sensitivity colorimetric enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: At baseline, we found an inverse correlation between IL-7 levels and thymic function-associated parameters: thymic volume, naive T cells and TREC-bearing cells. After 48 weeks of therapy increased levels of thymic function-related markers along with a significant decrease in IL-7 levels were found. IL-7 levels at baseline were the only independently associated variable with respect to changes in thymic volume at weeks 12, 24 and 48 of follow-up. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that IL-7 plays an important role in thymic rebound in adult HIV-infectedpatients under HAART.
Authors: Stacey R Rizza; Eric G Tangalos; Mark D McClees; Michael A Strausbauch; Paul V Targonski; David J McKean; Peter J Wettstein; Andrew D Badley Journal: Front Biosci Date: 2008-01-01
Authors: E Ruiz-Mateos; A Rubio; A Vallejo; R De la Rosa; A Sanchez-Quijano; E Lissen; M Leal Journal: Clin Exp Immunol Date: 2004-06 Impact factor: 4.330
Authors: Salvador Resino; Elena Seoane; Alicia Pérez; Ezequiel Ruiz-Mateos; Manuel Leal; Maria A Muñoz-Fernández Journal: BMC Infect Dis Date: 2006-07-13 Impact factor: 3.090