title: Effect of pregnancy and human immunodeficiency virus infection on intracellular interleukin-2 production patterns.
abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection decreases the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) from CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Recombinant IL-2 (rIl-2) has been given to HIV-infected individuals to generate significant increases in CD4+ T-cell counts. There are limited data regarding the effects of pregnancy and HIV infection on IL-2 production in humans. To investigate the effects of human pregnancy, HIV infection, and HIV therapy on IL-2 production, we evaluated 61 women. Intracellular IL-2 production by CD4+ T cells from nonpregnant HIV-infected women was significantly lower than in that in uninfected women (45% +/- 8% versus 52% +/- 8%, P = 0.04). In contrast, there was no difference in levels of intracellular IL-2 production between HIV-infected and uninfected pregnant women. These observations suggest that pregnancy may down-regulate IL-2 production regardless of HIV infection status. Future studies should evaluate IL-2 production patterns in larger cohorts of women so that the physiological significance of IL-2 down-regulation in pregnancy can be further evaluated. This information is essential to assess the possible use of IL-2 supplementation therapy as a means of enhancing immune responses among HIV-infected pregnant women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey--New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 07102, USA.
authors.forename: Madeline Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Sutton
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Holland
authors.forename: Thomas N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Denny
authors.forename: Ambrosia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Zenaida
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: Arlene D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Bardeguez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007424:Intracellular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2