Impaired interleukin-5 (IL-5) production by T cells as a prognostic marker of disease progression in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected children.
We studied cytokine production by stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 55 HIV-infected children born to HIV-infected mothers, and compared it to that of exposed, but uninfected, age-matched children. Cytokine production was quantified using a commercially available specific ELISA kit. Cell proliferation was evaluated by incorporation of ((3)H) thymidine. A significant defect in type 1 cytokine production of IFN-gamma and IL-2 in HIV-infected children compared to controls was observed, but without a concomitant increase in type 2 cytokines. Indeed, IL-5 production was even lower in HIV-infected children than in controls, the IL-5 decrease being the best predictive marker of immunodeficiency. Furthermore, IL-5 levels were decreased from the early phases of HIV infection, being significantly lower in the clinical category B with respect to controls, and in AIDS with respect to both controls and children in category A. Such a strong correlation with the stage of infection has not been previously described in HIV-infected children. In addition, we found a correlation between SI/X4 viral phenotype and lower IL-5 levels. Our data suggest a dysfunctional cytokine production by PBMC from HIV-infected children as regards both Th1 and Th2 cytokines resulting from quantitative as well as qualitative defects induced by HIV-1.
Resino
S
S
Department of Immunology, General University Hospital Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.
Sánchez-Ramón
S
S
Bellón
J M
JM
Jiménez
J L
JL
Muñoz-Fernández
M A
MA
D015415:Biomarkers; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D002648:Child; D018450:Disease Progression; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010641:Phenotype; D011379:Prognosis; D012367:RNA, Viral; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D015848:Interleukin-5; D012367:RNA, Viral