Correlation of loss of CD4 T cells with plasma levels of both soluble form Fas (CD95) Fas ligand (FasL) in HIV-infected infants.
Fas and Fas ligand (FasL), members of the TNFR and TNF families of molecules involved in apoptosis, respectively, are expressed in membrane-associated as well as soluble forms. Soluble Fas (sFas) and sFasL were evaluated in sequential samples from 16 HIV-infected and 11 HIV-exposed uninfected infants at ages 0-13 months. Regardless of the state of infection, age-dependent decreases in peripheral CD4 T cell counts and increases in sFas and sFasL were noted. However, decreases of the percentage CD4 T cells were more prominent in HIV-infected infants, and this was correlated significantly with increased plasma levels of sFas and sFasL (P = 0.002 and 0.004, respectively). Moreover, the levels of sFas in HIV-infected infants were found to be directly correlated with plasma HIV RNA (P = 0.03) and were significantly increased as early as age <1 month and prior to the onset of CD4 T cell decline. In uninfected infants, there was no such correlation between CD4 counts and the levels of sFas/sFasL. Plasma levels of sFas and sFasL may thus be important indicators of disease progression in perinatal HIV infection.
Hosaka
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N
Department of Pediatrics, North Shore University Hospital-New York University School of Medicine, Manhasset 11030, USA.
Oyaizu
N
N
Than
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S
Pahwa
S
S
D000367:Age Factors; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D012995:Solubility; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000097:blood*
C505661:FASLG protein, human; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D012367:RNA, Viral; D019014:fas Receptor