Increased circulating interleukin-7 levels in HIV-1-infected women.
Sex-based differences in CD4 T-cell (CD4) counts are well recognized, but the basis for these differences has not been identified. Conceivably, homeostatic factors may play a role in this process by regulating T-cell maintenance and repletion. Interleukin (IL)-7 is essential for normal T-cell production and homeostasis. We hypothesized that differences in IL-7 might contribute to sex-based differences in CD4 counts. Circulating IL-7 levels were analyzed in 299 HIV-1-infected women and men. Regression analysis estimated that IL-7 levels were 40% higher in women than in men (P = 0.0032) after controlling for CD4 count, age, and race. Given the important role of IL-7 in T-cell development and homeostasis, these findings suggest that higher IL-7 levels may contribute to higher CD4 counts in women.
Napolitano
Laura A
LA
Gladstone Institute of Virology and Immunology, University of California at San Francisco, 94158, USA. lnapolitano@gladstone.ucsf.edu
Burt
Trevor D
TD
Bacchetti
Peter
P
Barrón
Yolanda
Y
French
Audrey L
AL
Kovacs
Andrea
A
Anastos
Kathryn
K
Young
Mary
M
McCune
Joseph M
JM
Greenblatt
Ruth M
RM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D015851:Interleukin-7 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D015851:Interleukin-7