Abstract

Th17 cells play a crucial role in host immune response. We examined the role of Th17 cells in HIV-1 'subtype-C' infection and report that HIV-1 specific Th17 cells are induced in early infection and slow progressors but are significantly reduced at late stage of infection. There was a further decline in Th17 cells in late stage subjects with gastrointestinal infections. Additionally, we observed expanded population of IL-21 (needed for Th17 population expansion) producing CD4 T cells in early and slow progressors compared to subjects with late stage infection. A significant positive correlation existed between virus specific IL-17 and IL-21 producing CD4 T cells suggesting that HIV-1 infection induces a demand for Th17 cells. A significant negative correlation between virus specific Th17 cells and HIV-1 plasma viral load (pVL) was also observed, indicating a gradual loss of Th17 cells with HIV-1 disease progression.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Singh A, Vajpayee M, Ali SA, Mojumdar K, Chauhan NK, Singh R

Institution

HIV & Immunology Division, Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. alpana31748@rediffmail.com

Source

Cytokine 60:1 2012 Oct pg 55-63

MeSH

Adult
CD4 Lymphocyte Count
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes
Disease Progression
Female
HIV Infections
HIV-1
Host-Pathogen Interactions
Humans
Interleukin-17
Interleukins
Male
Th17 Cells
Time Factors
Viral Load
gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22840497