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Serum levels of the soluble form of tumour necrosis factor receptor type II (p75) (sTNF-R) were determined in HIV-infected individuals and risk groups and were then correlated with the course of infection and prognosis, sTNF-R levels were determined by an ELISA with MoAbs and polyclonal antibodies to urine-derived sTNF-R proteins. The mean ± s.e. levels of sTNF-R in the sera of 49 HIV+ male homosexuals, 34 HIV- male homosexuals and 44 matched controls were 6.1±0.3 ng/ml. 4.4 ± 0.3 ng/ml and 3.4 ± 0.2 ng/ml. respectively. All these values were significantly different between each of the groups (P< 0.001-0.05). Sequential studies of sTNF-R revealed higher levels following seroconversion in 5/8 individuals, remained persistently high during the asymptomatic phase of the infection and became even more elevated in some ARC and AIDS patients. At the same time TNF-α was undetectable in sera obtained from HIV+ male homosexuals and from healthy controls. This was independent of stage of HIV infection, serum sTNF-R level and type of ELISA kit used. These findings suggest that TNF-α/TNF-R system is turned on before and during HIV infection and raise the possibility that sTNF-R. the natural inhibitor of TNF, may be of importance in determining the course and probably prognosis of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine sTNF-R, type I (p55) and type II (p75) in sera of HIV-infected male homosexuals and correlate them to T lymphocyte subpopulations and course of HIV infection. Serum samples were obtained from 39 HIV-1+ asymptomatic male homosexuals, 10 symptomatic (ARC and AIDS) male homosexuals and 44 HIV- non-homosexual healthy controls. sTNF-R levels were determined by ELISA with specific MoAbs and polyclonal antibodies to the sTNF-R proteins. sTNF-RI and II levels were significantly elevated in 72% and 74% respectively of HIV+ asymptomatic male homosexuals and in all of the symptomatic male homosexuals. In sequential studies a highly significant positive correlation was found between sTNF-RI and sTNF-RII (r = 0.8, P < 0.001) and between both sTNF-R and CD8+ lymphocyte counts (r= 0.6 and 0.92, respectively, P < 0.001-0.001) during the asymptomatic stage of the infection. All these correlations were lost, however, during the symptomatic phase of the disease. These results suggest that: (i) HIV infection is associated with elevation of sTNF-R serum levels: (ii) sTNF-R levels are strongly correlated to CD8+ lymphocytes during the asymptomatic stage of HIV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]