Dynamics and Consequences of IL-21 Production in HIV-Infected Individuals: A Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Study

摘要: IL-21 is a relatively newly discovered immune-enhancing cytokine that plays an essential role in controlling chronic viral infections. It produced mainly by CD4(+) T cells, which are also the main targets of HIV-1 and often depleted HIV-infected individuals. Therefore, we sought to determine dynamics production its potential consequences for survival cells frequencies HIV-specific CTL. For this purpose, conducted series cross-sectional longitudinal studies on different groups patients show study compromised early course infection. The serum concentrations correlate with cell counts infected persons. Among individuals, only elite controllers maintain normal cytokine. Highly active antiretroviral therapy partially restores Interestingly, HIV infection human inhibits decreasing expression c-Maf virus-infected not uninfected bystander cells. We IL-21-producing HIV-specific, but CMV-specific, Ag-experienced decreased viremic patients. Furthermore, demonstrate recombinant prevents enhanced spontaneous ex vivo death from Together, our results suggest may serve as useful biomarker monitoring disease progression be considered immunotherapy