title: Human alpha defensin in HIV-exposed but uninfected individuals.
abstract: Human alpha defensins 1, 2, and 3 are produced by CD8 T cells of HIV-infected long-term nonprogressors and have an antiviral activity. alpha Defensins were examined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), cervical-vaginal mononuclear cells (CVMCs), and cervical biopsies of 9 HIV-1-exposed but uninfected women (ESNs), 10 HIV-infected patients (HIV), and 13 low-risk healthy controls (HCs). Results showed that, whereas alpha defensin production and alpha defensin-expressing CD8 lymphocytes were comparable in ESNs and HIV patients, constitutive alpha defensin production by peripheral CD8 and CVMCs was augmented in ESNs compared with HCs (P = 0.001 and P = 0.058, respectively); alpha defensin mRNA was increased in PBMCs of ESNs; unstimulated, alpha defensin-expressing peripheral and mucosal CD8 lymphocytes were 10-fold higher in ESNs compared with HCs (P = 0.003 and P = 0.01, respectively); and alpha defensin mRNA and alpha defensin-expressing cells were augmented in cervical biopsies of ESN compared with HCs (mRNA:P = 0.03). The differences were reduced upon in vitro mitogen stimulation. A robust constitutive production of alpha defensin is seen in HIV-exposed uninfected individuals; these peptides could have a role in the potentially protective immune response that characterizes ESNs.
authors.affiliation: Cattedra di Immunologia, Università di Milano, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Daria
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Trabattoni
authors.forename: Sergio Lo
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Caputo
authors.forename: Giada
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maffeis
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vichi
authors.forename: Mara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Biasin
authors.forename: Piera
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pierotti
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fasano
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saresella
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Franchini
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ferrante
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mazzotta
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clerici
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D014621:Vagina / Q000276:immunology; D023084:alpha-Defensins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D023084:alpha-Defensins