T-cell function after interleukin-2 therapy in HIV-infected patients is correlated with serum cortisol concentrations.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of interleukin (IL)-2 therapy on in-vitro lymphocyte responsiveness in HIV-infected patients and to correlate these data with serum cortisol concentrations.


METHODS
German prospective study.


METHODS
In adult patients (n = 32) treated with 9 x 10(6) IU/day interleukin-2, lymphocyte transformation tests (LTT), serum cortisol concentrations and CD4 T-cell counts were assessed before, during and after IL-2 therapy.


RESULTS
A significant decrease in responses towards mitogens and recall antigens (P < 0.05) was observed on day 7 after starting a 4- to 5-day IL-2 therapy as compared to baseline. Serum cortisol levels increased (P < 0.0001) reaching a maximum on day 4, and were still elevated on day 7 (P < 0.005). CD4 T-cell counts significantly decreased with a minimum on day 2 before increasing 2.4-fold above baseline on day 7 (P < 0.005 each). A positive correlation (P < 0.05 each) was observed for changes in cortisol levels and in LTT mitogen and antigen reactions (both day 7 - 0), changes in cortisol levels (day 3 - 0) and CD4 cell counts on day 2, and corticotrophin releasing hormone test results and LTT antigen reactions on day 7. LTT responses, cortisol levels and CD4 T-cell counts returned to baseline on day 30.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum cortisol concentrations are predictive of functional and numerical changes of T cells induced by IL-2 therapy.
Lindemann
Monika
M
Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Essen, Germany.
Witzke
Oliver
O
Winterhagen
Toni
T
Ross
Birgit
B
Kreuzfelder
Ernst
E
Reinhardt
Walter
W
Roggendorf
Michael
M
Mann
Klaus
K
Philipp
Thomas
T
Grosse-Wilde
Hans
H
D000328:Adult; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D019562:Viral Load
D007376:Interleukin-2; D006854:Hydrocortisone