Hayes P, Miao Y, Gotch F, Gazzard B; Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections.

7th Conf Retrovir Oppor Infect Jan 30 Feb 2 2000 Conf Retrovir Oppor Infect 7th 2000 San Franc Calif. 2000 Jan 30-Feb 2; 7: 146 (abstract no. 371).

Imperial Coll. Sch. of Med., London, UK.

The gut CD4 T-cell population is greatly reduced in HIV-1 infection. In addition to the possibility of destruction of gut CD4 T cells by HIV or CD8 T cells, we sought to determine whether lymphocyte migration to the gut is impaired and whether the gut CD4 T-cell population is restored by HAART. Blood and gut leukocyte adhesion molecule expression and T-cell populations were assessed by flow cytometry. Compared with HIV- individuals, blood CD4 and CD8 T cells and monocytes from HAART-naive AIDS patients displayed significantly reduced CD44 expression (p<0.01), an adhesion molecule associated with leukocyte migration to inflamed mucosa. However, CD44 levels in the gut were normal in HIV infection. Blood CD44 levels and gut CD4 T-cell numbers were monitored post-HAART. At 6 months post-HAART, patients with a gut pathogen co-infection displayed a mean 10-fold increase in gut CD4 T-cell numbers but no increase in CD44 levels on blood CD4 T cells. The gut pathogen was usually detectable at 3 months but undetectable by 6 months post-HAART. The reverse was true for the no gut pathogen group with only a mean 3-fold increase in gut CD4 T-cell numbers but a mean 2-fold increase in CD44 levels on blood CD4 T cells. We hypothesise that in HIV infection, inflammation results in increased leukocyte migration to the gut mediated by CD44, with CD44low leukocytes remaining in the blood. Following HAART, gut pathogens may remain for at least 3 months, maintaining inflammation and leukocyte migration, resulting in increased gut CD4 T-cell numbers and low CD44 levels on blood leukocytes. In the absence of gut pathogens, inflammation recedes with HAART, reducing leukocyte migration to the gut resulting in only modest increases in gut CD4 T-cell numbers and more CD44high leukocytes remaining in the blood.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Antigens, CD4
• Antigens, CD44
• Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
• CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes
• Flow Cytometry
• HIV Infections
• Humans
• T-Lymphocytes
• immunology

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0005752

UI: 102243249

From Meeting Abstracts