HIV-1 DNA load analysis in peripheral blood lymphocytes and monocytes from naïve and HAART-treated individuals.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate HIV-1 DNA load in PBLs and monocytes from both long-term HAART-treated and antiretroviral naïve HIV-1 infected patients.


METHODS
Cross-sectional quantitative analysis of HIV-1 DNA load was performed in PBLs and monocytes, purified from 34 long-term HAART-treated and 34 naïve HIV-1 infected patients, and compared to RNA viral load and CD4+ cell count.


RESULTS
HAART-treated patients showed significantly lower levels of viral DNA both in PBLs and monocytes in comparison with naïve individuals. Variable levels of HIV-1 DNA amount in monocytes were detected in all naïve patients but only in 12 of 34 HAART-treated individuals. PBLs HIV-1 DNA load was inversely correlated to CD4+ cell count in naïve and HAART-treated patients whereas no association was detected in monocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term HAART decreased HIV-1 DNA load in PBLs and monocytes demonstrating a valuable inhibitor effect, especially in short-lived reservoirs. In addition, the positive correlation of DNA burden between PBLs and monocytes may suggest a dynamic relation between these reservoirs in the course of disease. HIV-1 DNA load quantitative analysis in PBLs and monocytes may be considered an important approach to study the HIV-1 reservoir and the effectiveness of HAART therapy in HIV-1 seropositive patients.
Gibellini
Davide
D
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Microbiology Section, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy. davide.gibellini@unibo.it
Borderi
Marco
M
De Crignis
Elisa
E
Cicola
Ronny
R
Cimatti
Laura
L
Vitone
Francesca
F
Chiodo
Francesco
F
Re
Maria Carla
MC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000821:virology*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D019562:Viral Load
D004279:DNA, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral