Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor attenuates the hyperresponsiveness of TLR2+ and TLR4+ Th17/Tc17-like cells in multiple sclerosis patients with major depression.

Elevated frequency of Th17-like cells expressing Toll-like receptors (TLRs) has been recently associated with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis, a chronic inflammatory demyelinating autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. We aimed to investigate the impact of current major depressive disorder (MDD) on the behaviour of these cells following in vitro stimulation with TLR2, TLR4, TLR5 and TLR9 agonists. Here, the level of both cell proliferation and cytokine production related to Th17/Tc17 phenotypes in response to TLR2 (Pam3C) and TLR4 (LPS) ligands was significantly higher in CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell cultures from MS/MDD patients when compared to non-depressed patients. These cytokine levels were positively associated with neurological disabilities in patients. No difference for responsiveness to TLR5 (flagellin) and TLR9 (ODN) agonists was observed. LPS, but not Pam3C, induced significant IL-10 release, mainly in patients without MDD. Interestingly, more intense expression of TLR2 and TLR4 on these cells was observed in MDD patients. Finally, in vitro addition of serotonin and treatment of MDD patients with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) reduced the production of Th17/Tc17-related cytokines by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in response to Pam3C and LPS. However, only SSRI therapy diminished the frequency and intensity of TLR2 and TLR4 expression on circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. In summary, although preliminary, our findings suggest that adverse events that elevate circulating levels of TLR2 and TLR4 ligands can affect MS pathogenesis, particularly among depressed patients.

Pregnancy favors circulating IL-21-secreting TFH -like cell recovery in ARV-treated HIV-1-infected women.

PROBLEM: Pregnancy appears to favor maternal antibody production. In contrast, by damaging follicular helper T cells (TFH ), HIV-1 infection compromises protective humoural immune response. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the frequency of different TFH -like cells in HIV-infected pregnant women (PW) before and after antiretroviral (ARV) therapy. METHOD OF STUDY: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells, CD4+ T and B cells, were obtained from asymptomatic HIV-1-infected non-PW and PW just before and after ARV therapy. In some experiments, healthy HIV-1-negative PW were also tested. The frequency of different TFH -like cell subsets was determined by flow cytometry. The plasma titers of IgG anti-tetanus toxoid (TT), anti-HBsAg, and anti-gp41 were determined by ELISA. The in vitro production of total IgG, IL-21, and hormones (estrogen and progesterone) was quantified also by ELISA. RESULTS: Our results demonstrate that antiretroviral (ARV) therapy was more efficient in elevating the percentage of circulating IL-21-secreting TFH cells in HIV-1-infected pregnant women (PW) than in non-pregnant patients (nPW). Moreover, in co-culture systems, CD4+ T cells from ART-treated PW were more efficient in assisting B cells to produce IgG production. The in vivo anti-HBsAg IgG titers after ARV therapy were also significantly higher in PW, and their levels were directly associated with both IL-21+ TFH frequency and plasma concentration of estrogen. CONCLUSION: In summary, our results suggest that pregnancy favors the recovery of TFH -like cells after ARV therapy in HIV-1-infected women, which could help these mothers to protect their newborns from infectious diseases by transferring IgG across the placenta.

Serum leptin levels correlate negatively with the capacity of vitamin D to modulate the in vitro cytokines production by CD4+ T cells in asthmatic patients.

Both obesity and low vitamin D levels have been associated with allergic asthma (AA) severity. In the present study, severity of AA was associated with obesity but to the in vitro IgE production. In those patients, higher levels of IL-5, IL-6 and IL-17 were quantified in CD4+ T-cell cultures as compared with patients with mild and moderate AA. In addition, the lowest IL-10 levels were detected in the cell cultures from patients with a worse prognosis. Interestingly, the occurrence of AA elevates the plasma levels of leptin, and this adipokine was positively correlated with the release of IL-5, IL-6 and IL-17, but inversely correlated with IL-10 production, by CD4+ T-cells from patients. In AA-derived CD4+ T-cell cultures, 1,25(OH)2D3 was less efficient at inhibiting IL-5, IL-6 and IL-17 production, and up regulating IL-10 release, as those from healthy subjects. Interestingly, the in vitro immunomodulatory effects of vitamin D were inversely correlated with serum leptin levels. In summary, our findings suggested that obesity, probably due to the overproduction of leptin, negatively impacts AA as it favors imbalance between Th2/Th17 and regulatory phenotypes. The deleterious effects of leptin may also be due to its ability to counter-regulate the immunosuppressive effects of vitamin D.

Serotonin decreases the production of Th1/Th17 cytokines and elevates the frequency of regulatory CD4+ T-cell subsets in multiple sclerosis patients.

Excessive levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the CNS are associated with reduced serotonin (5-HT) synthesis, a neurotransmitter with diverse immune effects. In this study, we evaluated the ability of exogenous 5-HT to modulate the T-cell behavior of patients with MS, a demyelinating autoimmune disease mediated by Th1 and Th17 cytokines. Here, 5-HT attenuated, in vitro, T-cell proliferation and Th1 and Th17 cytokines production in cell cultures from MS patients. Additionally, 5-HT reduced IFN-γ and IL-17 release by CD8+ T cells. By contrast, 5-HT increased IL-10 production by CD4+ T cells from MS patients. A more accurate analysis of these IL-10-secreting CD4+ T cells revealed that 5-HT favors the expansion of FoxP3+ CD39+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) and type 1 regulatory T cells. Notably, this neurotransmitter also elevated the frequency of Treg17 cells, a novel regulatory T-cell subset. The effect of 5-HT in upregulating CD39+ Treg and Treg17 cells was inversely correlated with the number of active brain lesions. Finally, in addition to directly reducing cytokine production by purified Th1 and Th17 cells, 5-HT enhanced in vitro Treg function. In summary, our data suggest that serotonin may play a protective role in the pathogenesis of MS.

Interleukin-17- and interleukin-22-secreting myelin-specific CD4(+) T cells resistant to corticoids are related with active brain lesions in multiple sclerosis patients.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is thought to be an autoimmune disorder. It is believed that immunological events in the early stages have great impact on the disease course. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the cytokine profile of myelin basic protein (MBP)-specific T cells from MS patients in the early phase of the disease and correlate it to clinical parameters, as well as to the effect of in vitro corticoid treatment. Peripheral T cells from MS patients were stimulated with MBP with our without hydrocortisone for 5 days. The cytokines level were determined by ELISA. The number of active brain lesions was determined by MRI scans, and the neurological disabilities were assessed by Expanded Disability Status Scale scores. Our results demonstrated that MS-derived T cells responded to MBP by producing high levels of T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th17 cytokines. Although the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, IL-17 and IL-22 was less sensitive to hydrocortisone inhibition, only IL-17 and IL-22 levels correlated with active brain lesions. The ability of hydrocortisone to inhibit IL-17 and IL-22 production by MBP-specific CD4(+) T cells was inversely related to the number of active brain lesions. Finally, the production of both cytokines was significantly higher in cell cultures from Afrodescendant patients and it was less sensitive to hydrocortisone inhibition. In summary, our data suggest that IL-17- and IL-22-secreting CD4(+) T cells resistant to corticoids are associated with radiological activity of the MS in early stages of the disease, mainly among Afrodescendant patients who, normally, have worse prognosis.

Poor functional immune recovery in aged HIV-1-infected patients following successfully treatment with antiretroviral therapy.

Aging is now a well-recognized characteristic of the HIV-infected population and both AIDS and aging are characterized by a deficiency of the T-cell compartment. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy in recovering functional response of T cells to both HIV-1-specific ENV peptides (ENV) and tetanus toxoid (TT), in young and aged AIDS patients who responded to ARV therapy by controlling virus replication and elevating CD4(+) T cell counts. Here, we observed that proliferative response of T-cells to either HIV-1-specific Env peptides or tetanus toxoid (TT) was significantly lower in older antiretroviral (ARV)-treated patients. With regard to cytokine profile, lower levels of IFN-γ, IL-17 and IL-21, associated with elevated IL-10 release, were produced by Env- or TT-stimulated T-cells from older patients. The IL-10 neutralization by anti-IL-10 mAb did not elevate IFN-γ and IL-21 release in older patients. Finally, even after a booster dose of TT, reduced anti-TT IgG titers were quantified in older AIDS patients and it was related to both lower IL-21 and IFN-γ production and reduced frequency of central memory T-cells. Our results reveal that ARV therapy, despite the adequate recovery of CD4(+) T cell counts and suppression of viremia, was less efficient in recovering adequate immune response in older AIDS patients.

Endogenous interleukin-6 amplifies interleukin-17 production and corticoid-resistance in peripheral T cells from patients with multiple sclerosis.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been implicated in the induction of pathogenic IL-17-producing T cells in autoimmune diseases, and studies evaluating the role of this cytokine in T-cell function in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are lacking. Our objective was to evaluate the role of IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) signalling on in vitro functional status of T cells from patients with relapsing-remitting MS during clinical remission. Our results demonstrated that, even during the remission phase, activated T cells from patients produce higher levels of IL-17, and this cytokine was positively correlated with disease severity, as determined by Expanded Disability Status Scale score. In the MS group, the blockade of IL-6R signalling by anti-IL-6R monoclonal antibody reduced IL-17 production and elevated IL-10 release by activated CD4(+) T cells, but it did not alter the production of these cytokines by activated CD8(+) T cells. Blockade of IL-6R signalling also reduced the ability of monocytes to up-regulate T helper type 17 phenotype in patients with MS. Finally, both cell proliferation and IL-17 release by CD4(+) and, mainly, CD8(+) T cells from patients with MS were less sensitive to hydrocortisone inhibition than control group. Interestingly, IL-6R signalling blockade restored the ability of hydrocortisone to inhibit both T-cell proliferation and IL-17 production. Collectively, these results suggest that IL-6 might be involved in MS pathogenesis by enhancing IL-17 production and reducing corticoid inhibitory effects on activated T cells.

Dopamine favors expansion of glucocorticoid-resistant IL-17-producing T cells in multiple sclerosis.

Dopamine (DA) is a neurotransmitter produced mainly in the central nervous system (CNS) that has immunomodulatory actions on T cells. As the multiple sclerosis (MS) has long been regarded as an autoimmune disease of CNS mediated by T cells, the objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of DA on in vitro functional status of T cells from relapsing-remitting (RR)-MS patients. Peripheral T-cells from RR-MS patients were activated by mitogens and cell proliferation and cytokine production were assayed by [(3)H]-thymidine uptake and ELISA, respectively. Our results demonstrated that DA enhanced in vitro T cell proliferation and Th17-related cytokines in MS-derived cell cultures. In addition, this catecholamine reduced Treg-related cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-ß) release by activated CD4(+) T cells. These DA-induced effects on T cells were mainly dependent on IL-6 production by both polyclonally-activated CD4(+) T cells and LPS-stimulated monocytes. Furthermore, the production of IL-17 and IL-6 by MS-derived T cells was directly related with neurological disability (EDSS score), and the release of these cytokines was less sensitive to glucocorticoid inhibition in MS patients than in control group, mainly after DA addition. In conclusion, our data suggest that DA amplifies glucocorticoid-resistant Th17 phenotype in MS patients, and this phenomenon could be, at least in part, due to its ability to induce IL-6 production by monocytes and CD4(+) T cells.

High in vitro immune reactivity to Escherichia coli in neuromyelitis optica patients is correlated with both neurological disabilities and elevated plasma lipopolysaccharide levels.

The pathogenesis of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, including infectious agents. Several infectious diseases can both trigger or exacerbate autoimmunity. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the in vitro immune responsiveness to Escherichia coli (EC), Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and Candida albicans (CA) in remittent-recurrent NMO patients, and correlate it with the level of neurological disability. Our results revealed that the extent of lymphoproliferation and cytokine profile in response to SA- and CA-stimulated PBMC cultures was similar between NMO patients and healthy individuals. Nevertheless, a higher in vitro CD4(+) T cell proliferation associated with elevated IL-1ß, IL-6 and IL-17 release was observed in NMO-derived EC-stimulated cell cultures. Additionally, in these last cultures, the IL-10 production was significantly lower as compared with control group. The in vitro EC-induced levels of IL-6 and IL-17 were positively related with neurological disabilities. This higher tendency to produce Th17-related cytokines was proportional to the production of IL-23 and IL-6 by LPS-activated monocytes. Interestingly, elevated LPS levels were quantified in the plasma of NMO patients. The results suggest that a higher Th17-responsiveness to E. coli could be involved in the NMO pathogenesis.

Low sensitivity to glucocorticoid inhibition of in vitro Th17-related cytokine production in multiple sclerosis patients is related to elevated plasma lipopolysaccharide levels.

Exogenous glucocorticoid plays an important role in controlling clinical relapses of multiple sclerosis (MS), but the response to this treatment differs among patients. In this study, T-cell proliferation and IL-17 production were less sensitive to hydrocortisone (HC) inhibition in MS patients than healthy individuals, mainly in CD8(+) compartment. Furthermore, in vitro IL-17 production was positively related with neurological disability and its release was proportional to IL-23 and IL-6 productions by LPS-activated monocytes. Interestingly, elevated LPS levels were quantified in the plasma of MS patients, and their levels were directly related to in vivo IL-6 production. Finally, HC-resistance in reducing IL-17 production by polyclonally-activated CD8(+) T cells was particularly observed among MS patients with higher in vivo LPS levels. In summary, the results indicate that T-cells derived from MS patients show an enhanced Th17-like phenotype that is directly associated with neurological disability, resistance to glucocorticoid inhibition and elevated bacterial translocation.

The ex vivo production of IL-6 and IL-21 by CD4+ T cells is directly associated with neurological disability in neuromyelitis optica patients.

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO), also known as Devic's disease, is an autoimmune, inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) in which the immune system attacks myelin of the neurons located at the optic nerves and spinal cord, thus producing a simultaneous or sequential optic neuritis and myelitis. The objective of this study was evaluated the background T-cell function of patients suffering from neuromyelitis optica (NMO), an autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system. In our study, the in vitro T cell proliferation and the production of Th1 cytokines were significantly lower in cell cultures from NMO patients, as compared with healthy individuals. In contrast, a dominant Th17-like phenotype, associate with higher IL-23 and IL-6 production by LPS-activated monocytes, was observed among NMO patients. The release of IL-21 and IL-6 by polyclonally activated CD4+ T cells was directly correlated to neurological disability. In addition, the in vitro release of IL-21, IL-6 and IL-17 was significantly more resistant to glucocorticoid inhibition in NMO patients. In conclusion, the results indicate dominant Th17-related response in NMO patients that was directly proportional to neurological disability. Furthermore, our results can help to explain why NMO patients trend to be more refractory to corticoid treatment.

High IL-10 production by aged AIDS patients is related to high frequency of Tr-1 phenotype and low in vitro viral replication.

This work aims to elucidate the effects of age and HIV-1 infection on the frequency and function of T cell subsets in response to HIV-specific and non-specific stimuli. As compared with the younger AIDS group, the frequencies of naive and central memory T cells were significantly lower in aged AIDS patients. Although there was also a dramatic loss of classical CD4(+)FoxP3(+)CD25(+)Treg cells in this patient group, high frequencies of IL-10-producing CD4(+)FoxP3(-) T cells were observed. In our system, the increased production of IL-10 in aged AIDS patients was mainly derived from Env-specific CD4(+)FoxP3(-)CD152(+) T cells. Interestingly, while the blockade of IL-10 activity by monoclonal antibody clearly enhanced the release of IL-6 and IL-1ß by Env-stimulated PBMC cultures from aged AIDS patients, this monoclonal antibody enhanced in vitro HIV-1-replication. In conclusion, HIV infection and aging undoubtedly contribute synergistically to a complex immune dysfunction in T cell compartment of HAART-treated older HIV-infected individuals.

Dopamine up-regulates Th17 phenotype from individuals with generalized anxiety disorder.

Our objective was to evaluate the effect of stress-related dose of dopamine (DA) on the in vitro proliferation and cytokine production in polyclonally-activated T cells from healthy individuals or individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Our results demonstrated that cell cultures from GAD group proliferated less following T cell activation, as compared with control group. The addition of DA reduced the proliferative response in cell cultures from healthy but not from GAD individuals. The cytokine profile in GAD individuals revealed Th1 and Th2 deficiencies associated with a dominant Th17 phenotype, which was enhanced by DA. A similar DA-induced immunomodulation was also observed in PPD-activated cell cultures from GAD individuals. Unlike the control, DA-enhanced Th17 cytokine production in GAD individuals was not affected by glucocorticoid. In conclusion, our results show that the T cell functional dysregulation in GAD individuals is significantly amplified by DA. These immune abnormalities can have impact in increasing the susceptibility of individuals with anxiety disorders to infectious diseases and inflammatory/autoimmune disorders.

Substance P enhances Th17 phenotype in individuals with generalized anxiety disorder: an event resistant to glucocorticoid inhibition.

Our objective was to evaluate the effect of stress-related dose of substance P (SP) on the in vitro proliferation and cytokine production in polyclonally activated T cells from healthy individuals or individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Our results demonstrated that cell cultures from GAD group proliferated less following T cell activation, as compared with control group. The addition of SP enhanced, while the glucocorticoid (GC) reduced, the proliferative response in activated cell cultures from healthy but not from GAD individuals. The cytokine profile in GAD individuals revealed Th1 and Th2 deficiencies were associated with dominate Th17 phenotype which was enhanced by SP. Differently from control, the production of Th17 cytokines in GAD individuals was not affected by GC. In conclusion, our results show that complex T cell functional dysregulation in GAD individuals is significantly amplified by SP. These immune abnormalities can have impact in increasing the susceptibility to infectious diseases and inflammatory/autoimmune disorders in anxious individuals.

Enhanced Th17 phenotype in uninfected neonates born from viremic HIV-1-infected pregnant women.

Our objective was to evaluate the in vitro functional profile of T cells from uninfected neonates born from HIV-1-infected pregnant women who controlled (G1) or not (G2) the virus replication. We demonstrated that the lymphoproliferation of T cell to polyclonal activators was higher in the G2 as compared with G1. Nevertheless, no detectable proliferative response was observed in response to HIV-1 antigens in both neonate groups. Cytokine dosage in the supernatants of these polyclonally activated T cell cultures demonstrated that, while IL-10 was the dominant cytokine produced in G1, Th17-related cytokines were significantly higher in G2 neonates. The higher Th17 phenotype tendency in G2 was related to high production of IL-23 by lipopolysaccharide-activated monocyte-derived dendritic cells from these neonates. Our results demonstrated immunological disorders in uninfected neonates born from viremic HIV-1-infected mothers that can help to explain why some of these children have elevated risk of clinical morbidity and mortality due to pathological hypersensitivity.

Enhanced Th17 phenotype in individuals with generalized anxiety disorder.

The generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is often a debilitating chronic condition, characterized by long-lasting anxiety that is not focused on any object or situation. Besides being clearly linked to increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, anxiety is also known to contribute to the pathogenesis of many inflammatory/autoimmune disorders. The present work aimed to explore the T cell profile following in vitro activation in cultures obtained from a group of individuals with GAD, comparing them with healthy control individuals. Our results demonstrated that cell cultures from GAD group proliferated less following T cell activation as compared with the control group. The analysis of the cytokine profile revealed Th1 and Th2 cytokine deficiencies in the anxious group, as compared with the control subjects. On the other hand, this cellular and humoral immune damage was followed by enhanced production of Th17-derived cytokines. In particular, the levels of TNF-α and IL-17 were significantly higher in cell cultures containing activated T cells from GAD individuals. Therefore, besides a deficiency on Th1 phenotype, an elevated proinflammatory status of these individuals might be related to both glucocorticoid immune resistance and lower IL-10 levels produced by activated T cells. In conclusion, our results demonstrated a T cell functional dysregulation in individuals with GAD, and can help to explain the mechanisms of immune impairment in these subjects and their relationship with increased susceptibility to infections and autoimmune diseases.

Failure of highly active antiretroviral therapy in reconstituting immune response to Clostridium tetani vaccine in aged AIDS patients.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of age on tetanus-specific immune response in successfully highly active antiretroviral therapy-treated AIDS patients, using healthy age-matched individuals as controls. Whole Peripheral blood mononuclear cells or CD8(+) cell-depleted peripheral blood mononuclear cells from previously tetanus toxoid (TT)-immunized individuals were activated with TT plus IL-2, and cell proliferation, cytokine production, and in vitro HIV-1 replication were measured. The in vivo magnitude of the humoral immune response was also assessed by antibody measurements. Our results showed that, compared with other groups, both in vitro TT-specific lymphoproliferation and serum antibody concentration were lower in older AIDS patients. Although the IL-1beta and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) production were higher in cultures from aged HIV-1-infected patients, a dramatic damage on the interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) release was observed, when compared with younger patients. CD8(+) T lymphocytes depletion reduced IL-1beta and TNF-alpha release in the older groups, however, it did not significantly alter their IFN-gamma production. Furthermore, the neutralization of endogenous IL-10 did not change the IFN-gamma deficiency in older AIDS patients. Finally, the lower cellular immune response in this patient group was not related to in vitro HIV-1 replication. The results suggest that successfully highly active antiretroviral therapy-treated aged AIDS patients do not reconstitute the immune response to TT, making them probably more susceptible to tetanus even after vaccination.

IL-10-secreting T cells from HIV-infected pregnant women downregulate HIV-1 replication: effect enhanced by antiretroviral treatment.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of pregnancy-related immune events on the HIV-1 replication and to analyze their relationship with the risk of vertical transmission. METHODS: The peripheral blood from HIV-1-infected pregnant women who controlled (G1) or not controlled (G2) their plasma viral load was drawn, and the plasma and the T cells were obtained. The T-cell cultures were activated in vitro with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28, and the proliferation and cytokine production profile were evaluated after 3 days of incubation. The in-vitro HIV-1 replication was measured in culture supernatants in the seventh day following stimulation. The cytokines were also analyzed in the plasma. RESULTS: Our results demonstrated a lower T-cell proliferation and a lower interleukin-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma production in polyclonally activated T-cell cultures from G1 patients, when compared with G2. Furthermore, high levels of interleukin-10 were produced both systemically and by activated T-cell cultures from G1 patients. Interestingly, the neutralization of endogenous interleukin-10 by anti-interleukin-10 monoclonal antibody elevated both the inflammatory cytokines' release and the HIV-1 replication in the polyclonally activated T-cell cultures from G1 patients. Additionally, the maternal antiretroviral treatment significantly enhanced the systemic interleukin-10 production. Finally, the higher systemic interleukin-10 levels were inversely correlated with vertical virus transmission risk. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that a high tendency of pregnant women to produce interleukin-10 can help them control the HIV-1 replication, and this can reduce the risk of vertical transmission. Furthermore, our data suggest a role for maternal antiretroviral treatment in enhancing this phenomenon.

Altered immunological reactivity in HIV-1-exposed uninfected neonates.

This work aimed to evaluate immune events in HIV-1-exposed uninfected neonates born from mothers who control (G1) or not (G2) the plasma viral load, using unexposed neonates as controls. Cord blood from each neonate was collected, plasma and mononuclear cells were separated and the lymphoproliferation and cytokine pattern were evaluated. The results demonstrated that the in vitro lymphoproliferation induced by polyclonal activators was higher in the G2 neonates. Nevertheless, no cell culture responded to poll synthetic HIV-1 envelope peptides. The cytokine dosage in the plasma and supernatants of polyclonally-activated cultures demonstrated that, while IL-4 and IL-10 were the dominant cytokines produced in G1 and control groups, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha were significantly higher in G2 neonates. Systemic levels of IL-10 observed among the G1 neonates were higher in those born from anti-retroviral treated mothers. In summary, our results indicate an altered immune responsiveness in neonates exposed in utero to HIV and support the role of maternal anti-retroviral treatment to attenuate it.

Interleukin-10-secreting CD4 cells from aged patients with AIDS decrease in-vitro HIV replication and tumour necrosis factor alpha production.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of age on the proliferative response, cytokine profile and viral kinetics in AIDS patients treated successfully with antiretroviral drugs. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), CD4 cell-depleted PBMC or CD4 T cells from young adult and aged HIV-1-infected patients were activated in vitro with anti-CD3 with or without interleukin (IL)-2. Lymphoproliferation and cytokines were measured after 3 days and in-vitro HIV-1 replication after 7 days. RESULTS: Both lymphoproliferation and cytokine [IL-1beta, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma)] secretion were higher in younger than in older AIDS patients. In cultures of cells derived from aged patients and activated by anti-CD3, IFN-gamma production was severely damage and IL-10 production was much higher. Although IL-2 addition to activated PBMC elevated IFN-gamma secretion, IL-10 production remained elevated in the aged group. The depletion of CD4 T lymphocytes from these cultures dramatically reduced released IL-10 in the older group but did not alter significantly IFN-gamma production. Interestingly, higher IL-10 levels produced by CD4 T cells were related to lower in-vitro HIV-1 replication, and the blockade of this cytokine by anti-IL-10 monoclonal antibody enhanced virus replication. This effect may be correlated with elevated TNF-alpha secretion. Finally, impaired IFN-gamma secretion detected in activated CD4 T cells obtained from aged patients was not directly correlated with high IL-10 production. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated IL-10 production by aged AIDS patients contributed considerably to control of HIV replication and to inhibition of TNF-alpha secretion but not to the reduced IFN-gamma production.