In:
Clinical and Vaccine Immunology, American Society for Microbiology, Vol. 14, No. 4 ( 2007-04), p. 348-354
Abstract:
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-specific cellular immune responses are elicited in a proportion of infants born to HIV-1-infected mothers and are associated with protection against vertical transmission. To investigate correlates of these HIV-1-specific responses, we examined levels of the immune activation markers neopterin, β 2 -microglobulin (β 2 -m), and soluble l -selectin (s l -selectin); the immunomodulatory and hematopoietic factors interleukin-7 (IL-7), stromal-cell-derived factor 1 alpha (CXCL12), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF); and the immunoregulatory cytokine IL-10 among a group of newborns born to HIV-1-positive mothers who did not receive any antiretroviral drugs for prevention of perinatal HIV-1 transmission. Cellular immune responses to HIV-1 envelope (Env) peptides were also measured. We aimed to determine whether newborns who elicit HIV-1-specific cellular immune responses (Env + ) and those who lack these responses (Env − ) exhibit unique immune features. Our data confirmed that no Env + infants acquired HIV-1 infection. Among exposed, uninfected infants, Env + infants had reduced immune activation (as measured by β 2 -m and s l -selectin levels in cord blood plasma) compared to Env − infants as well as reduced GM-CSF levels in cord blood plasma. There was also a reduced ability of cord blood mononuclear cells to be induced to produce GM-CSF among Env + infants. Maternal viral load was lower in Env + infants, suggesting that exposure to low levels of antigen may be responsible for priming the protective responses. These findings suggest that infants who are able to develop apparently protective HIV-1-specific cellular immune responses have immunological features and viral exposure histories that distinguish them from their nonresponder counterparts, providing new insights into the development of HIV-1 protective immunity.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1556-6811
,
1556-679X
DOI:
10.1128/CVI.00464-06
Language:
English
Publisher:
American Society for Microbiology
Publication Date:
2007
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1496863-0
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