title: HIV-specific immunity during structured antiviral drug treatment interruption.
abstract: The immunologic correlates associated with control of viremia in HIV disease are poorly understood. We hypothesized that structured antiviral drug treatment interruptions could be utilized to better understand the relationship between HIV-specific immunity and viral replication. We thus examined the effects of two 8 weeks antiviral structured treatment interruptions (STIs) in a cohort of HIV-1 chronically infected individuals on highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) with (n = 13) and without (n = 12) therapeutic HIV immunizations. In this study, we observed that p24 gag antigen (np24) stimulated MIP-1beta levels and T helper immune responses prior to antiviral drug discontinuation were associated with control of viremia. Stronger and earlier production of gag peptide stimulated gamma interferon was observed in the immunized group during the structured antiviral drug interruptions. These results support the concept that HIV-specific immune responses are associated with control of viremia. Further study of immune-based therapies that enhance HIV-specific immunity is warranted.
authors.affiliation: The Immune Response Corporation, 5935 Darwin Court, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA. shotdoc@imnr.com
authors.forename: Ronald B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Moss
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brandt
authors.forename: Wieslawa K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Giermakowska
authors.forename: Jay R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Savary
authors.forename: Georgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Theofan
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zanetti
authors.forename: Dennis J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Carlo
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Wallace
mesh_terms: D016915:AIDS Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D054407:Chemokine CCL4; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24 / Q000097:blood; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D016233:Immunotherapy, Active; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D019402:Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins / Q000097:blood; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D019562:Viral Load; D014766:Viremia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D054407:Chemokine CCL4; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24; D019402:Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins; C105086:remune; D007371:Interferon-gamma