Cytokine network and acute primary HIV-1 infection.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between cytokine serum levels, peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets and clinical picture in acute primary HIV-1 infection.


METHODS
Absolute number/microliters total lymphocytes, CD4+, CD8+ and natural killer (NK) cells, as well as serum levels of soluble CD8 receptor, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interferon (IFN)-gamma, beta 2-microglobulin and 5'-neopterin were determined in 15 patients with acute primary HIV-1 infection, 16 asymptomatic HIV-1-seropositive individuals and 18 HIV-1-seronegative individuals at risk for HIV-1 infection.


RESULTS
Acute primary HIV-1 infection was characterized by significant CD4+ lymphocytopenia with low IL-2 serum concentrations, and by high absolute number of circulating CD8+ and NK cells, with elevated serum levels of soluble CD8 receptor, IL-1 beta, IFN-gamma and 5'-neopterin. Follow-up of acute seroconverters showed a significant decrease in NK cell counts and IL-1 beta levels, with an increase of IL-6.


CONCLUSIONS
In acute primary HIV-1 infection, significant alteration of cytokine release, possibly induced by viral antigens, could be responsible for both clinical picture and activation of cytotoxic cells through abnormal mechanisms.
Sinicco
A
A
Institute of Infectious Disease, University of Turin, Italy.
Biglino
A
A
Sciandra
M
M
Forno
B
B
Pollono
A M
AM
Raiteri
R
R
Gioannini
P
P
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D000328:Adult; D001708:Biopterins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019798:Neopterin; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000378:metabolism
D016207:Cytokines; D007378:Interleukins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D001708:Biopterins; D019798:Neopterin; D007371:Interferon-gamma