Neopterin in HIV-1 infection.
Neopterin is well established as a reliable marker in HIV-1 infection. Neopterin concentrations measured in urine or serum indicate sensitively the course and progression of the disease as well as efficacy of anti-retroviral therapy. The main trigger for neopterin production is Th1-type cytokine interferon-gamma. During acute HIV-1 infection, enhanced formation of neopterin occurs already at a very early time point, before antibody seroconversion takes place. After this stage, neopterin concentrations in serum and urine closely correlate with virus load in the circulation of HIV-1-infected patients. Data provide evidence for an important role of immune activation and Th1-type cytokine interferon-gamma in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection. This review subsumes the importance of neopterin as a marker in HIV-1 infection. Further evidence is increasing, that neopterin derivatives might modulate immune response by interfering with the cellular redox balance, activating redox-sensitive transcription factors, or inducing apoptosis in specific cell types. The possible impact of neopterin derivatives and of other biochemical pathways induced by interferon-gamma such as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in chronic diseases like HIV-1 infection is discussed.
Institute of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical University of Innsbruck, Fritz-Pregl-Strasse 3, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
Barbara
B
Wirleitner
Katharina
K
Schroecksnadel
Christiana
C
Winkler
Dietmar
D
Fuchs
D017209:Apoptosis; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D019798:Neopterin / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress
D015415:Biomarkers; D019798:Neopterin; D007371:Interferon-gamma