Effects of IL-2 therapy in asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals on proliferative responses to mitogens, recall antigens and HIV-related antigens.
The effects of IL-2 therapy on lymphoproliferative responses to mitogens, recall antigens and HIV epitopes were studied in asymptomatic HIV-infected patients enrolled in a phase II study of intermittent continuous intravenous (Ci.v.) IL-2 and subcutaneous infusions of polyethylene glycol-modified (PEG) IL-2. Sixteen consecutive patients randomized to receive Ci.v. IL-2 (n = 5), PEG IL-2 (n = 7) or anti-viral therapy alone (n = 4) were studied. All patients were vaccinated with tetanus toxoid (TT) before receiving therapy. Proliferative responses to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), soluble anti-CD3, TT, streptokinase/streptodornase (SK/SD) and 11 previously described HIV-specific T-helper epitopes from gag and env were studied at weeks 0, 16, 30 and 48. Median CD4+ lymphocyte increases of 272 and 255CD4+ cells/microl were observed in the Ci.v. IL-2 and PEG IL-2 groups at week 48, while decreasing by 104 cells/microl in the anti-retroviral therapy alone group. At each time point proliferative responses to PHA, anti-CD3, TT and SK/SD were not different between treatment arms. Similarly, no differences in responses to HIV epitopes were found between the groups and no new responses to HIV epitopes were detected. IL-2 therapy results in a significant increase in peripheral blood CD4+ lymphocyte count, but this increase is not associated with quantifiable improvements in lymphoproliferative responses to mitogens, recall or HIV antigens.
Centre for Immunology, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
A D
AD
Kelleher
M
M
Roggensack
S
S
Emery
A
A
Carr
M A
MA
French
D A
DA
Cooper
D000328:Adult; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002455:Cell Division; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008934:Mitogens / Q000276:immunology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000276:immunology; D019562:Viral Load
D015488:HIV Antigens; D007376:Interleukin-2; D008934:Mitogens; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols