Changes in circulating levels of soluble cell adhesion molecules following highly active antiretroviral treatment of HIV-1-infected patients.
Increased levels of soluble cell adhesion molecules (sCAM) have been reported in HIV-1 infection and may possibly contribute to altering the adhesion mechanisms of phagocytic cells. We evaluated the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on plasma levels of sL-selectin, sE-selectin, intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), sICAM-3, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1). Study participants included 22 HIV-1-infected patients with a CD4+ T-cell count/microl below 500 who were started on a HAART regimen and followed up for 9 months. After the initiation of therapy, plasma sL-selectin concentrations progressively decreased to normal ranges in the majority of our patients (P < 0.001), while no changes in sE-selectin were found. In all patients sICAM-1 remained relatively constant at significantly elevated concentrations during the 9 months of therapy. A significant reduction in plasma concentrations of both sICAM-3 and sVCAM-1 was found; however, the levels of these sCAM were not normalized by HAART and remained significantly elevated throughout the study (P < 0.001). The reduced release of sL-selectin could improve the ability of phagocitic cells to migrate in response to chemotactic stimuli after starting HAART. On the other hand, the persistent elevation of sICAM-1, sICAM-3, and sVCAM-1 could reflect continuous HIV-1-mediated immune activation, despite adequate control of plasma HIV-1 replication by therapy.
Mastroianni
C M
CM
Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
Lichtner
M
M
Mengoni
F
F
D'Agostino
C
C
d'Ettorre
G
G
Forcina
G
G
Santopadre
P
P
Massetti
A P
AP
Vullo
V
V
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D012995:Solubility
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D012367:RNA, Viral