Short Communication: Human Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 Coinfection Modulates the Synthesis of Cytokines by Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from HIV Type 1-Infected Individuals

Abstract

HIV-1 and HTLV-1 infect CD4⁺ T lymphocyte but little is known about the impact of coinfection on patient's immune response. In this study we have evaluated the spontaneous production of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 and interferon (IFN)-γ by unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures obtained from patients infected by HTLV-1, HIV-1, or both viruses. We have observed that HIV/HTLV-coinfected individuals presented significantly higher production of IL-2 and IFN-γ compared to both HIV single-infected and HTLV single-infected individuals. IL-6 and IL-10 synthesis was similar in all infected groups, but HTLV single-infected individuals presented a lower production of IL-4. These results show that HIV/HTLV-coinfected individuals presented a profile of higher production of Th-1 cytokines, suggesting a predominant stimulus of HTLV-1 in detriment to HIV-1 infection.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Cohen

, Fauci

. Pathogenesis, medical aspects of HIV-1 infection. Fields Virology, 2 Knipe

, Howley

. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins: Philadelphia, PA, 2000; 2043–2094.

Edlich

, Arnette

, Williams

. Global epidemic of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-I (HTLV-I) J Emerg Med, 2000; 18:109–119.

Uchiyama

. Human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) and human diseases. Annu Rev Immunol, 1997; 15:15–37.

Tajima

, Kamura

, Ito

et al. Epidemiological features of HTLV-I carriers and incidence of ATL in an ATL-epidemic island: A report of the community-based co-operative study in Tsushima, Japan. Int J Cancer, 1987; 40:741–746.

Brites

, Harrington

Jr , Pedroso

, Martins Netto

, Badaró

. Epidemiological characteristics of HTLV-1 and II co-infection in brazilian subjects infected by HIV-1. Braz J Infect Dis, 1997; 1:42–47.

Casseb

, Caterino-de-Araujo

, Hong

et al. Prevalence of HTLV-I and HTLV-II infections among HIV-1-infected asymptomatic individuals in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo, 1997; 39:213–215.

Brites

, Alencar

, Gusmão

et al. Co-infection with HTLV-1 is associated with a shorter survival time for HIV-1-infected patients in Brazil. AIDS, 2001; 15:2053–2055.

, Yim

, Lau

ASY

. Tat in AIDS pathogenesis: its effects on cytokine dysregulation and contributions to the pathogenesis of opportunistic infection. AIDS, 2010; 24:1609–1623.

Carvalho

, Bacellar

, Porto

et al. Cytokine profile and immunomodulation in asymptomatic human T-lymphotropic virus type 1-infected blood donors. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr, 2001; 27:1–6.

10.

Montanheiro

, Penalva de Oliveira

, Smid

et al. The elevated interferon gamma production is an important immunological marker in HAM/TSP pathogenesis. Scand J Immunol, 2009; 70:403–407.

11.

Schechter

, Moulton

, Harrison

. HIV viral load and CD4+ lymphocyte counts in subjects coinfected with HTLV-1 and HIV-1. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr, 1997; 15:308–311.

12.

Scapellato

, Bottaro

, Rodriguez-Brieschke

et al. CD4 cell count among HIV-infected patients with an AIDS-defining disease: Higher count in patients coinfected than in those not coinfected with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr, 2003; 33:279–280.

13.

Brites

, Goyanna

, França

et al. Coinfection by HTLV-I/II is associated with an increased risk of strongyloidiasis and delay in starting antiretroviral therapy for AIDS patients. Braz J Infect Dis, 2011; 15:6–11.

14.

Regis

, Oliveira

, Brites

. Onset of opportunistic infections in patients co-infected by HTLV-1 and HIV-1, with high CD4+ cells count. Braz J Infect Dis, 2009; 13:311–313.

15.

Chinen

, Shearer

. Molecular virology and immunology of HIV infection. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 2002; 110:189–198.

16.

Gudo

, Bhatt

, Bila

et al.

Co-infection by human immunodeficiency vírus type 1 (HIV-1) and human T cell leukemia vírus type 1 (HTLV-1): Does immune activation lead to a faster progression to AIDS?

BMC Infect Dis, 2009; 9:211–232.

17.

Pedroso

, Netto

, Weyll

, Brites

. Coinfection by HIV-1 and human lymphotropic virus type 1 in children is strongly associated with a shorter survival time. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr, 2011; 57:S208–S211.