title: HIV persistence in the gut mucosa of HIV-infected subjects undergoing antiretroviral therapy correlates with immune activation and increased levels of LPS.
abstract: We investigated the relationship between viral persistence in the gut, microbial translocation, and T cell activation during chronic HIV infection. Plasma levels of LPS, fraction of circulating CD8+CD38+ T cells, and levels of HIV-DNA in rectosigmoid biopsies and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were determined in 22 HIV-infected individuals and 10 healthy controls. We found that in untreated HIV-infected individuals, HIV-DNA load was higher in the gut mucosa than in the blood. Also, ART-treated patients exhibited lower levels of LPS and CD8+CD38+ T cells than untreated patients, but higher levels than controls. In ART-treated individuals, the level of HIV-DNA in the gut correlated with levels of LPS and fraction of CD8+CD38+ T cells. We concluded that in ART-treated individuals, higher levels of gut-associated HIV-DNA are associated with persistent immune activation and microbial translocation.
authors: Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, University of Rome Sapienza, Italy. gabriella.dettorre@uniroma1.it
authors: Gabriella
authors: G
authors: d'Ettorre
authors: Mirko
authors: M
authors: Paiardini
authors: Lorenzo
authors: L
authors: Zaffiri
authors: Mauro
authors: M
authors: Andreotti
authors: Giancarlo
authors: G
authors: Ceccarelli
authors: Cecilia
authors: C
authors: Rizza
authors: Marileda
authors: M
authors: Indinnimeo
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Vella
authors: Claudio M
authors: CM
authors: Mastroianni
authors: Guido
authors: G
authors: Silvestri
authors: Vincenzo
authors: V
authors: Vullo
mesh_terms: D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 / Q000032:analysis; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018988:Bacterial Translocation / Q000276:immunology*; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000821:virology*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010949:Plasma / Q000737:chemistry; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D004279:DNA, Viral; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1