Slower progression of HIV-1 infection in persons with GB virus C co-infection correlates with an intact T-helper 1 cytokine profile

Article Abstract:

Background: Progression to AIDS is slower in persons infected with both HIV-1 and GB virus C (GBV-C), also known as hepatitis G virus. Objective: To compare clinical, virologic, and immunologic variables in HIV-1-seropositive patients with and without GBV-C co-infection. Design: Subanalysis of a prospective cohort study. Setting: Institute of Infectious Diseases, University of Catania, Catania, Italy. Patients: 80 asymptomatic HIV-1-seropositive patients. Measurements: GBV-C RNA level; plasma HIV-1 viral load; CD4+ cell counts; and serum levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-12. Results: At the start of the study, plasma GBV-C RNA was detected in 17 patients (21%). During follow-up, IL-2 and IL-12 levels decreased significantly (P=0.005 and P=0.01, respectively) and IL-4 and IL-10 levels increased significantly (P=0.01 and P=0.004, respectively) in the GBV-C-negative group but did not change substantially in the GBV-C-positive group. Each measured variable differed significantly between GBV-C-positive and GBV-C-negative groups during follow-up (P<0.001 for IL-12, IL-4, and IL-10; P=0.002 for IL-2). Conclusion: GB virus C may immunologically interfere with progression of HIV-1 infection to AIDS by maintaining an intact T-helper 1 cytokine profile.

Health aspects, Cytokines, Comorbidity, Author Abstract, Hepatitis G

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HIV-1 messenger RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells as an early marker of risk for progression to AIDS

Article Abstract:

High levels of HIV type 1 messenger RNA (mRNA) may be a biological marker of AIDS progression. HIV-infected people often do not develop serious AIDS symptoms for up to ten years. Researchers examined the blood cells of 150 HIV-infected men under 30 years old. Using the polymerase chain reaction, HIV-1 replications and CD4 cell counts predicted disease progression and early death up to eight years later. The higher the HIV mRNA expression, the lower the immune status or CD4 count. After three years, 69% of infected men with the highest mRNA counts had developed AIDS compared to only 6% of those with the lowest mRNA counts. After seven years, only 9% of those patients with very high mRNA counts survived compared to a 44% survival rate in men with lower mRNA counts. Men without detectable mRNA activity did not progress to AIDS during the same period.

Measurement, Messenger RNA

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Sodium butyrate stimulation of HIV-1 gene expression: a novel mechanism of induction dependent of NF-kappaB

Article Abstract:

Sodium butyrate may promote HIV-1 gene expression in certain cell lines, making HIV-1 responsive to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the abscence of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B). Sodium butyrate is a fatty acid. NF-kappa B plays an important role in the replication of HIV-1. Some intransigent cell lines may be induced to produce NF-kappa B by stimulation with PMA. Initially, most cells appear to restrict replication of the virus, which could account for the latency period before the manifestation of AIDS.

Physiological aspects, HIV (Viruses), HIV, Gene expression, Virus replication

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