OBJECTIVETo study the pathogenesis role of immune system activation in AIDS related Kaposi's sarcoma(AIDS-KS).

METHODSThe serum levels of sFas, beta 2-microglobin, IL-10, IL-16, IL-18, IL-6 and sIL-4R were detected by ELISA in 8 AIDS-KS patients, 28 patients with HIV infection but without Kaposi's sarcoma(HIV-NKS) and 16 normal controls. The lymphocyte and their subsets, CD38(+) CD8, HLA-DR(+)CD8 in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMCs) in 12 AIDS-KS and 32 HIV-NKS were detected by flow cytometer.

RESULTSBeta 2-MG and sIL-4R in HIV-NKS were significantly higher than those in normal controls(P<0.05), IL-16 in HIV-NKS was significantly lower than that in controls(P<0.05). IL-18 was higher in both AIDS-KS and HIV-NKS compared with normal controls. In AIDS-KS, CD3, CD4, CD8, NK and HLA-DR(+)CD8 were lower than those in HIV-NKS whereas CD19 and CD38(+)CD8 were higher than those in HIV-NKS. But the difference was not statistically(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAlthough both AIDS-KS and HIV-NKS demonstrate some activation of immune system, there appears to be no significant difference between immune responses in KS and NKS patients. These data suggest that the activation of the immune system is unlikely to contribute significantly to the pathogenesis of AIDS-KS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; complications ; immunology ; Cytokines ; blood ; HLA-DR Antigens ; blood ; Humans ; Interleukin-16 ; blood ; Sarcoma, Kaposi ; etiology ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo measure CCR5 and CXCR4 chemokine receptor expression on CD4 and CD8 T cells in HIV-1 infection and to relate levels to the distribution of CD45RO memory and CD45RA-naive subsets after effective HAART.

METHODSFour-color cytofluorometry with appropriate conjugated monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) was performed to define CD45RA and CD45RO subsets of CD4 and CD8 T cells and measure the expression of CCR5, CXCR4 in blood from 43 received HAART patients and 5 non-treated HIV and 13 healthy controls.

RESULTSThe levels of CCR5 and CXCR4 on CD4 and CD8 T cells and their CD45RO/CD45RA subsets in HIV-1-infected patients had not any statistical significance than that on control subjects and effective HAART could adjust the expression on T cells.

CONCLUSIONCXCR4/CCR5 plays an important role in the progress of HIV-1 infection. The most favorable condition for treatment should be initiated before stage B.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; chemistry ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; chemistry ; HIV-1 ; Humans ; Receptors, CCR5 ; blood ; drug effects ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; blood ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo study the significance of cytokines in patients with HIV and hepatitis viruses co-infection.

METHODSSerum levels of IL-18 and IL-10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HIV-RNA levels were measured in EDTA plasma by quantitative reverse polymerase chain reaction (PCR). CD4(+) lymphocyte counts were determined by four-color Flow cytometry (FCM).

RESULTSThe levels of IL-18 were significantly higher in HIV-infected persons compared with those in controls (P<0.05). With HIV disease progression, IL-18 levels increased while Il-10 levels decreased. HCV patients showed lower levels of IL-18 and IL-10 than those of the co-infection group.

CONCLUSIONUnivariate analyses shows significant co-variables IL-10 in co-infection. Up-regulating IL-18 activity and/or down-regulating IL-10 may be a potential therapy to patients with HIV and hepatitis viruses co-infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; complications ; immunology ; Adult ; Female ; HIV-1 ; Hepatitis B ; complications ; immunology ; Hepatitis C ; complications ; immunology ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-18 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology ; Th1 Cells ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo study the pathogenic role of Fas/CD95 in HIV-1 infection subjects, and to investigate the effects of HIV on plasma levels of sFas and the expression of CD95 on different CD4(+) T lymphocyte subpopulations.

METHODSFour-color flow cytometry was used to determine the expression of CD95, CD45RO, CD45RA on CD4(+ )T lymphocyte in peripheral blood from HIV-1 infection subjects and serum Fas levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTCompared with healthy controls, serum Fas levels were significantly increased (P<0.05) in HIV group and positively correlated with the disease progress. The expression of CD95 on naive T-lymphocyte subsets was increased whereas that on memory T-lymphocyte subsets was decreased.

CONCLUSIONFas plays an important role in the deletion of CD4(+) T-lymphocyte during HIV-1 infection. Further understanding of the relationship between Fas/CD95 and CD45RO/CD45RA may help to predict the progression of the disease and the clinical outcome.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; immunology ; Adult ; Apoptosis ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; pathology ; Female ; HIV-1 ; Humans ; Leukocyte Common Antigens ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; fas Receptor ; blood ; physiology