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HIV-Specific T-Cells Accumulate in the Liver in HCV/HIV Co-Infection.
- Source :
- PLoS ONE; 2008, Vol. 3 Issue 10, p1-10, 10p, 1 Chart, 5 Graphs
- Publication Year :
- 2008
-
Abstract
- Background and Aims: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)-related liver disease progresses more rapidly in individuals co-infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV), although the underlying immunologic mechanisms are unknown. We examined whether HIV-specific T-cells are identified in the liver of HCV/HIV co-infected individuals and promote liver inflammation through bystander immune responses. Methods: Ex-vivo intra-hepatic lymphocytes from HCV mono-infected and HCV/HIV co-infected individuals were assessed for immune responses to HIV and HCV antigens by polychromatic flow cytometry. Results: HCV/HIV liver biopsies had similar frequencies of lymphocytes but lower percentages of CD4<superscript>+</superscript> T-cells compared to HCV biopsies. In co-infection, intra-hepatic HIV-specific CD8<superscript>+</superscript> and CD4<superscript>+</superscript> T-cells producing IFN-γ and TNF-α were detected and were comparable in frequency to those that were HCV-specific. In co-infected individuals, viral-specific CD8<superscript>+</superscript> T-cells produced more of the fibrogenic cytokine, TNF-α. In both mono- and co-infected individuals, intra-hepatic HCV-specific T-cells were poorly functional compared to HIV-specific T-cells. In co-infection, HAART was not associated with a reconstitution of intra-hepatic CD4<superscript>+</superscript> T-cells and was associated with reduction in both HIV and HCV-specific intra-hepatic cytokine responses. Conclusion: The accumulation of functional HIV-specific T-cells in the liver during HCV/HIV co-infection may represent a bystander role for HIV in inducing faster progression of liver disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19326203
- Volume :
- 3
- Issue :
- 10
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- PLoS ONE
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 55701150
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0003454