Abstract
BackgroundWhile immunosenescence, defined as reduced production of new lymphocytes, restriction of T-cell receptor repertoire and telomeres shortening, has been extensively evaluated in HIV-infected children and adults, no data about these parameters are available in perinatally-infected patients with very long-lasting HIV infection.MethodsWe compared thymic and bone marrow output, telomere length (measured by Real-Time PCR) and T-cell receptor repertoire (determined by spectratyping) of 21 perinatally HIV-infected subjects (with a median of 27 years of infection) with those of 19 age-matched non-perinatally HIV-infected patients and 40 healthy controls. All patients received a combined antiretroviral therapy.ResultsWhile thymic and bone marrow output were not different among the analyzed groups, telomere length in peripheral blood cells and T-cell receptor diversity were significantly lower in HIV-perinatally and non-perinatally infected individuals compared to healthy controls.ConclusionsIn HIV-infected subjects, a normal thymic output together with a reduced telomere length and a restricted T-cell receptor repertoire could be explained by the shift of newly produced cells into memory subsets. This phenomenon may allow to control viral infection and maintain peripheral homeostasis.
Highlights
After the introduction of combined antiretroviral therapy, the rate of vertical HIV transmission drastically dropped to 1–2%, or even lower, in the United States and Western Europe [1]
Quantification of thymic and bone marrow output The number of TR excision circles (TRECs) and K-deleting recombination excision circles (KRECs) was simultaneously quantified by duplex quantitative Real-Time PCR, using DNA obtained from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, as previously reported [41]
DNA was extracted using QIAamp DNA Blood Mini Kit (Qiagen GmbH, Hilden, Germany), as recommended [43], from peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained by Ficoll separation; its integrity was guaranteed by visualization on agarose gels, as suggested [44], while its quantity and quality were assessed on Nanodrop 2000 spectrophotometer
Summary
After the introduction of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART), the rate of vertical HIV transmission drastically dropped to 1–2%, or even lower, in the United States and Western Europe [1]. Peripheral T, B and NK lymphocytes of HIV-infected children and adults show features that have been considered as hallmarks of premature aging process Immunosenescence includes both a reduced production of new T and B cells and an increased proliferation of the existing T cells, leading to a restriction of T-cell receptor (TR) repertoire and to a more rapid telomere length (TL) shortening [7, 8]. While immunosenescence, defined as reduced production of new lymphocytes, restriction of T-cell receptor repertoire and telomeres shortening, has been extensively evaluated in HIV-infected children and adults, no data about these parameters are available in perinatally-infected patients with very long-lasting HIV infection
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
