OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of antiretroviral therapy on thymic output independent of HIV infection. METHODS: Thymic output was evaluated by quantifying signal joint T-cell receptor (TCR) recombination excision circles in peripheral blood lymphocytes from HIV-negative patients undergoing prophylactic antiretroviral therapy. Additionally, effects of the HIV protease inhibitor nelfinavir were assessed in vivo on TCR-induced death of murine double-positive thymocytes. RESULTS: Five out of seven HIV-negative patients undergoing prophylactic antiretroviral therapy exhibited a dramatic increase (1-3 log10) in recent thymic emigrants containing signal joint TCR recombination excision circles while their peripheral T cell compartments remained relatively unaffected. None of the patients developed subsequent HIV infections. Interestingly, nelfinavir did not have significant effects on TCR-induced apoptosis of murine thymocytes in vivo. CONCLUSION: Antiretroviral therapy augments thymic output independent of HIV. Furthermore, nelfinavir does not dramatically affect TCR-induced thymocyte death in mice, thus central tolerance remains intact.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of antiretroviral therapy on thymic output independent of HIV infection. METHODS: Thymic output was evaluated by quantifying signal joint T-cell receptor (TCR) recombination excision circles in peripheral blood lymphocytes from HIV-negative patients undergoing prophylactic antiretroviral therapy. Additionally, effects of the HIV protease inhibitor nelfinavir were assessed in vivo on TCR-induced death of murine double-positive thymocytes. RESULTS: Five out of seven HIV-negative patients undergoing prophylactic antiretroviral therapy exhibited a dramatic increase (1-3 log10) in recent thymic emigrants containing signal joint TCR recombination excision circles while their peripheral T cell compartments remained relatively unaffected. None of the patients developed subsequent HIV infections. Interestingly, nelfinavir did not have significant effects on TCR-induced apoptosis of murine thymocytes in vivo. CONCLUSION: Antiretroviral therapy augments thymic output independent of HIV. Furthermore, nelfinavir does not dramatically affect TCR-induced thymocyte death in mice, thus central tolerance remains intact.
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: M P Armengol; L Sabater; M Fernández; M Ruíz; N Alonso; M J Otero; E Martínez-Cáceres; D Jaraquemada; R Pujol-Borrell Journal: Clin Exp Immunol Date: 2008-07-11 Impact factor: 4.330