Research

Cytokine Profiles in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Children Treated With Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

Brian M Jones¹ , Susan SS Chiu², Wilfred HS Wong³, Wilina WL Lim⁴ and Yu-lung Lau⁵

¹  Head of Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, PR China

²  Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, PR China

³  Senior Technician, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, PR China

⁴  Head of Unit, Government Virus Unit, Department of Health, Hong Kong, PR China

⁵  Professor and Chair, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, PR China

author email corresponding author email

Journal of the International AIDS Society 2005, 7:71doi:10.1186/1758-2652-7-2-71

Published:	3 May 2005

Abstract

Context

There have been few longitudinal studies of cytokine production in neonatally acquired HIV-1 infection and none in Asian or Chinese children.

Objective

To determine whether monitoring cytokine production could contribute to the better management of pediatric patients with HIV-1 infection.

Setting

Clinical Immunology Laboratory and Pediatrics Department, University Hospital, Hong Kong.

Patients

Ten Asian and 2 Eurasian children infected with HIV-1 by mother-to-child transmission were followed for up to 5 years while on treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Main Outcome Measures

Numbers of unstimulated and mitogen-activated cytokine-secreting cells (IFN-gamma, interleukin [IL]-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, and TNF-alpha) were measured by ELISPOT assay at frequent intervals, and correlations were sought with CD4+ and CD8+ cell counts and viral loads.

Results

Mitogen-stimulated IL-2-secreting cells were directly associated with recovery of CD4+ cells. Correlations with viral load were found for Con A-induced IFN-gamma, Con A-induced IL-4, and unstimulated IL-10, suggesting that these cytokines were either suppressed by high virus levels or that higher cytokine levels suppressed virus. IFN-gamma, IL-2-, IL-4-, and IL-12-secreting cells induced by PHA, Con A, and/or SAC tended to increase for the first 3-4 years of treatment but declined thereafter.

Conclusion

Alterations in cytokine profiles were not associated with adverse clinical events and there was little evidence to indicate that monitoring cytokine enzyme-linked immunospots (ELISPOTs) could contribute to pediatric patient management.