T-cell receptor excisional circles, telomere length, proliferation and apoptosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals after 18 months of treatment induced viral suppression

TY - JOUR

T1 - T-cell receptor excisional circles, telomere length, proliferation and apoptosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals after 18 months of treatment induced viral suppression

AU - Aladdin, H

AU - Katzenstein, T

AU - Dreves, A.-M.

AU - Ryder, L

AU - Gerstoft, J

AU - Skinhøj, P

AU - Pedersen, Bente Klarlund

AU - Ullum, H

PY - 2003/5

Y1 - 2003/5

N2 - This study evaluated the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-induced viral suppression on T-cell receptor excisional circles (TRECs), telomere length, proliferative responses and spontaneous as well as phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated lymphocyte apoptosis in 27 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals followed for 18 months during HAART. Our results show that HAART significantly increased the level of TRECs in CD4+ cells (P = 0.003) after 18 months of almost continuously suppressed HIV-RNA levels. Lymphocyte proliferative responses and apoptosis levels in patients were significantly lower and significantly higher, respectively, compared with healthy controls. The proliferative response and apoptosis levels did not change during follow up. Changes in telomere length were observed in CD4+ and in CD8+ T cells. The study demonstrated that HAART induces normal TREC levels in the CD4+ T-cell pool. However, the other perturbed functions in T cells indicate that immune reconstitution is incomplete and may need longer viral suppression.

AB - This study evaluated the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-induced viral suppression on T-cell receptor excisional circles (TRECs), telomere length, proliferative responses and spontaneous as well as phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated lymphocyte apoptosis in 27 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals followed for 18 months during HAART. Our results show that HAART significantly increased the level of TRECs in CD4+ cells (P = 0.003) after 18 months of almost continuously suppressed HIV-RNA levels. Lymphocyte proliferative responses and apoptosis levels in patients were significantly lower and significantly higher, respectively, compared with healthy controls. The proliferative response and apoptosis levels did not change during follow up. Changes in telomere length were observed in CD4+ and in CD8+ T cells. The study demonstrated that HAART induces normal TREC levels in the CD4+ T-cell pool. However, the other perturbed functions in T cells indicate that immune reconstitution is incomplete and may need longer viral suppression.

KW - Adult

KW - Aged

KW - Anti-HIV Agents

KW - Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active

KW - Apoptosis

KW - CD4 Lymphocyte Count

KW - CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes

KW - CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes

KW - DNA

KW - Female

KW - Follow-Up Studies

KW - Gene Rearrangement, alpha-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor

KW - Gene Rearrangement, beta-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor

KW - HIV Infections

KW - Humans

KW - Lymphocyte Activation

KW - Male

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Plasmids

KW - Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta

KW - Telomere

KW - Viral Load

KW - Journal Article

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 12753506

SN - 0301-6323

VL - 57

SP - 485

EP - 492

JO - Scandinavian Journal of Immunology, Supplement

JF - Scandinavian Journal of Immunology, Supplement

IS - 5

ER -