Mucosal and systemic immune activation is present in human immunodeficiency virus-exposed seronegative women.
Immune parameters were analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and cervical mucosa biopsy specimens of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seronegative women sexually exposed to HIV (exposed seronegative [ESN]), HIV-infected women, and healthy women without HIV exposure. HIV was not detected in PBMC or cervical mucosa biopsy specimens of ESN women. However, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-12, interferon (IFN)-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and -beta mRNA were elevated in PBMC and cervical mucosa biopsy specimens of ESN and HIV-infected women; CCR5 and CXCR4 mRNA were augmented in cervical mucosa biopsy specimens, but not in PBMC, of ESN and HIV-infected women; HIV-specific IFN-gamma-secreting cells were detected in vaginal washes of ESN and HIV-infected women; and phenotypic alterations were present in PBMC of ESN women. These results suggest that active HIV infection is not required for T cell activation; immune alterations occur in women in whom HIV infection cannot be detected virologically or clinically.
Duke Scholars
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Related Subject Headings
- T-Lymphocytes
- Receptors, CXCR4
- Receptors, CCR5
- RNA, Messenger
- Microbiology
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear
- Interferon-gamma
- Immunophenotyping
- Immunity, Mucosal
Citation
Published In
DOI
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- T-Lymphocytes
- Receptors, CXCR4
- Receptors, CCR5
- RNA, Messenger
- Microbiology
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear
- Interferon-gamma
- Immunophenotyping
- Immunity, Mucosal