The relation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and regulatory T-cells (Tregs) with HPV persistence in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected women.
Other than CD4+ count, the immunologic factors that underlie the relationship of HIV/AIDS with persistent oncogenic HPV (oncHPV) and cervical cancer are not well understood. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and regulatory T-cells (Tregs) are of particular interest. pDCs have both effector and antigen presenting activity and, in HIV-positive patients, low pDC levels are associated with opportunistic infections. Tregs downregulate immune responses, and are present at high levels in HIV-positives. The current pilot study shows for the first time that low pDC and high Treg levels may be significantly associated with oncHPV persistence in both HIV-positive and HIV-negative women. Larger studies are now warranted.
1 Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine , Bronx, New York.
Howard D
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Strickler
Jeffrey
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Martinson
Seema
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Xianhong
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Xie
Robert D
RD
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Kathryn
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L Stewart
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Howard
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Minkoff
Xiaonan
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Xue
Gypsyamber
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D'Souza
Alexandra M
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Levine
Christine
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Colie
D Heather
DH
Watts
Joel M
JM
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D000328:Adult; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology