Impact of the menstrual cycle on immunologic markers in HIV-infected Taiwanese women.
OBJECTIVE
This study tested the relationship between cellular immunity and the menstrual cycle in Taiwanese HIV-infected and normal women.


METHODS
From October 1997 to October 2001, 21 HIV-seropositive women and 30 controls were enrolled in this study. Blood was sampled for hormone profile (estradiol and progesterone) and immunophenotyping with flow cytometry during the follicular and luteal phases. Immunophenotyping included total blood cell count, lymphocyte count, CD4+ cells, CD8+ cells, and their activation markers, including CD25, CD69, HLA-DR, and CD38.


RESULTS
The proportion of CD8+ T cells increased during the follicular phase and activating antigens (HLADR and CD38) were elevated on CD8+ T cells of HIV-seropositive women. All these alterations seemed unrelated to the menstrual cycle.


CONCLUSIONS
The CD8+ T cells were increased and activated in women with HIV infection but these alterations were not affected by the menstrual cycle. Therefore, sex hormones seem not to affect the course of HIV infection.
Chao
Kuang-Han
KH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College and Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Wu
Ming-Yih
MY
Chen
Mei-Jou
MJ
Hung
Chien-Ching
CC
Ho
Hong-Nerng
HN
D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000097:blood; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D013624:Taiwan
D015415:Biomarkers; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1