Coinfection with Schistosoma mansoni is associated with decreased HIV-specific cytolysis and increased IL-10 production.
Impaired virus-specific immune responses have previously been observed with Schistosoma mansoni coinfection. We characterized Gag-specific responses in HIV-1-positive Ugandans with and without S. mansoni coinfection. We observed no significant difference in the frequency of IFN-gamma CD8+ T cells between the two groups. Interestingly, expression of CD107, a marker for cytolytic activity, was significantly lower in volunteers with S. mansoni coinfection compared with those with HIV-1 infection alone (p = 0.002). In contrast, the frequency of IL-10-positive Gag-specific CD8+ T cell responses was higher in volunteers with S. mansoni coinfection (p = 0.004). Analysis of human CMV-specific CD8+ T cell responses in the same individuals failed to reveal a similar pattern of altered CD107 and IL-10 expression. Our results suggest that S. mansoni coinfection is associated with decreased Gag-specific CD8+ cytolytic T cell responses and increased number of Gag-specific IL-10 positive CD8+ T cells. Our findings may have important implications toward the implementation of HIV preventive and therapeutic programs in Africa.
McElroy
Michael D
MD
California Department of Health Services, Richmond, California 94804, USA.
Elrefaei
Mohamed
M
Jones
Norman
N
Ssali
Francis
F
Mugyenyi
Peter
P
Barugahare
Banson
B
Cao
Huyen
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051907:Lysosomal Membrane Proteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D051907:Lysosomal Membrane Proteins; D016753:Interleukin-10; D007371:Interferon-gamma