Dendritic cell subsets dynamics and cytokine production in SIVmac239-infected Chinese rhesus macaques.
BACKGROUND
Several studies have demonstrated that SIV infection progresses more slowly to experimental AIDS in Chinese rhesus macaques (Ch Rhs) than in Indian rhesus macaques (Ind Rhs). Here we investigated the dynamic and functional changes in dendritic cell (DC) subsets in SIVmac239-infected Ch Rhs.


RESULTS
The numbers of both mDC and pDC strongly fluctuated but were not significantly changed during the acute and chronic phases of infection. However, the concentration of both poly (I:C)-induced IL-12 and HSV-1-induced IFN-α significantly increased in the acute phase of infection but returned to normal levels at the chronic phase of infection. The peak of IFN-α emerged earlier than that of IL-12, and it had a significantly positive correlation with IL-12, which indicated that IFN-α may initiate the immune activation. We also found that only the concentration of IFN-α was positively correlated with CD4+ T-cell counts, but it was negatively correlated with viral load.


CONCLUSIONS
High levels of IFN-α in the early stage of infection may contribute to effective control of virus replication, and normal levels of IFN-α during chronic infection may help Ch Rhs resist the disease progression. The change in DC subsets dynamics and cytokine production may help further our understanding of why Ch Rhs are able to live longer without progressing to an AIDS-like illness.
Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China.
Hou-Jun
HJ
Xia
Gao-Hong
GH
Zhang
Jian-Ping
JP
Ma
Zheng-Xi
ZX
Dai
Shao-You
SY
Li
Jian-Bao
JB
Han
Yong-Tang
YT
Zheng
D000818:Animals; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002452:Cell Count; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D016097:Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus
D016898:Interferon-alpha; D018664:Interleukin-12