Mucosal and systemic immune activation is present in human immunodeficiency virus-exposed seronegative women.
Immune parameters were analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and cervical mucosa biopsy specimens of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seronegative women sexually exposed to HIV (exposed seronegative [ESN]), HIV-infected women, and healthy women without HIV exposure. HIV was not detected in PBMC or cervical mucosa biopsy specimens of ESN women. However, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-12, interferon (IFN)-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and -beta mRNA were elevated in PBMC and cervical mucosa biopsy specimens of ESN and HIV-infected women; CCR5 and CXCR4 mRNA were augmented in cervical mucosa biopsy specimens, but not in PBMC, of ESN and HIV-infected women; HIV-specific IFN-gamma-secreting cells were detected in vaginal washes of ESN and HIV-infected women; and phenotypic alterations were present in PBMC of ESN women. These results suggest that active HIV infection is not required for T cell activation; immune alterations occur in women in whom HIV infection cannot be detected virologically or clinically.
Biasin
M
M
Cattedra di Immunologia, Università di Milano, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Milan, Italy.
Caputo
S L
SL
Speciale
L
L
Colombo
F
F
Racioppi
L
L
Zagliani
A
A
Blé
C
C
Vichi
F
F
Cianferoni
L
L
Masci
A M
AM
Villa
M L
ML
Ferrante
P
P
Mazzotta
F
F
Clerici
M
M
D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D018023:HIV Seronegativity / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D019713:Receptors, CCR5 / Q000235:genetics; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4 / Q000235:genetics; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D016207:Cytokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019713:Receptors, CCR5; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4; D007371:Interferon-gamma