Changes in thymic function in HIV-positive patients treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy and interleukin-2

摘要: Despite its potent antiviral activity, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) only exerts a marginal effect on CD4+ T-cell regeneration in HIV-infected subjects. Combination therapies aimed at boosting activity and maturation may provide an important contribution to the restoration of immune function. Here, we report results obtained by two-year follow-up cohort patients treated with combination HAART interleukin-2 (IL-2). In these patients, addition series quantitative virological immunological parameters, investigated immunophenotypic assay monitoring naive T cells, analysis thymic function, through quantification excision DNA products receptor rearrangement (TRECs) lymphocytes. Compared alone, found that IL-2 was equally effective reducing levels viremia marginally more decreasing proviral load. Strikingly, produced marked increase number cells bearing phenotype (CD45RA+, CD62L+), which apparent for over 96 weeks after therapy. To assess whether were product improved generation, exploited competitive molecular quantify TRECs peripheral blood Surprisingly, molecules unchanged patients. These findings indicate function does not account early rise CD4 HIV-positive IL-2, suggest alternative mechanisms differentiation are responsible this event.