1. Dysfunctional B-cell responses during HIV-1 infection: implication for influenza vaccination and highly active antiretroviral therapy
- Author
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Cagigi, Alberto, Nilsson, Anna, Pensieroso, Simone, and Chiodi, Francesca
- Subjects
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INFLUENZA vaccines , *THERAPEUTICS , *HIV infections , *ANTIRETROVIRAL agents , *DRUG activation , *HIV-positive persons , *B cells , *IMMUNE response - Abstract
Summary: Although HIV-1 infection does not directly target B cells, B-cell numbers are reduced and their function is impaired during HIV infection. Antibody titres against antigens previously encountered through vaccination or natural infection are low in patients with HIV. Intrinsic B-cell defects might be involved in the impairment of humoral immunity during early HIV infection. Abnormal T-cell activation and the altered expression of molecules involved in the B-cell homing process cause dysfunctional interaction between T and B cells in the germinal centres of lymphoid tissues, which might impair B-cell responses during HIV infection. Class-switch recombination is also impaired in individuals with HIV. Protective immune responses against T-cell-dependent antigens, including influenza antigens, rely on the production of neutralising antibodies. Impaired B-cell responses during HIV infection could therefore hamper the effectiveness of vaccinations against seasonal influenza or the new pandemic influenza A H1N1 vaccines in individuals with HIV. By maintaining B-cell responses, highly active antiretroviral therapy might improve the efficacy of influenza vaccines in individuals with HIV. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2010
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