In HIV-Infected Immunological Non-Responders, Hepatitis C Virus Eradication Contributes to Incomplete Normalization of Systemic Inflammation Indexes, but Does Not Lead to Rapid CD4+ T-Cell Count Recovery.

In HIV-positive individuals taking antiretroviral therapy, coinfection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) increases systemic inflammation, which interferes with the CD4+ T-cells regeneration. This study evaluated the effect of HCV eradication on systemic inflammation and CD4+ T-cell regeneration in patients who gave poor response to antiretroviral therapy, the so-called "immunological non-responders" (INRs). HIV-infected patients who received a course of direct-acting antivirals for treating hepatitis C were examined. The control groups included HIV/HCV-coinfected INRs and relatively healthy volunteers. It was established for the first time that HCV eradication is not accompanied by a complete suppression of systemic inflammation, but improves the T-cell pool composition: in INRs, the blood CD4+/CD8+ T-lymphocyte ratio increases and approaches those of healthy individuals. Apparently, in INRs treated for hepatitis C, the immune system recovery takes time and may be incomplete.

Metabolic Features of Activated Memory CD4+ T-Cells Derived from HIV-Infected Immunological Non-responders to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy.

Immunological non-responders (INR) are HIV-infected subjects that fail to restore CD4+ T-cell counts despite undetectable HIV viral load, which is controlled by highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). In INR, impaired immune restoration is linked to low-productive proliferation of memory CD4+ T-lymphocytes. Taking into account that T-cell ability to divide depends on the activity of metabolic pathways, we aimed to determine rates of mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis in memory CD4+ T-cells of INR. Two groups of HIV-infected HAART-treated patients were studied: immunological non-responders and subjects with an adequate immunological response to therapy (immunological responders - IR). Control (C) group comprised uninfected volunteers. In both groups of HIV-infected patients glycolytic activity of memory CD4+ T-cells was lower than that in C. Mitochondrial respiration rate in memory CD4+ T-cells derived from IR was comparable to that of C at basal state, however, after stimulation IR failed to reach the values of uninfected subjects. INR had the lowest mitochondrial respiration rate both at basal state and after stimulation. Taken together, the data presented herein demonstrate that low regenerative potential of memory CD4+ T-cells derived from INR might be linked to diminished lymphocytes' metabolic activity.

Changes in the Regulatory T-Lymphocyte Counts in HIV-Infected Patients with a Discordant Response to Antiretroviral Therapy.

We examined HIV-infected patients with different efficacies of immune system restoration during antiretroviral therapy. The study showed that against the background of low CD4+ T cell counts, subjects with a discordant immunologic response (patients with <350 CD4+ T cells per µL of blood after more than two years of treatment) develop a regulatory CD4+ T cell (Treg) deficiency. Furthermore, in these patients, the immunodeficiency is accompanied by an increase in the Treg frequency. Accumulation of regulatory T lymphocytes in the blood of HIV­infected subjects with discordant response to the treatment indicates a high viability of this T cell subset.

[Ocular lesions in HIV-infected patients of the ophthalmic hospitals]. / Porazhenie organa zreniia u VICh-infitsirovannykh patsientov oftal'mologicheskikh statsionarov.

PURPOSE: To analyze ophthalmic pathologies in HIV-infected patients of the ophthalmic hospitals of Perm city. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medical records of 75 HIV patients registered in Perm Regional Centre for Prevention and Control of AIDS and Infectious Diseases who had received treatment in ophthalmic in-patient clinics of Perm in 2005-2015 years were analyzed retrospectively. Patient examination included traditional ophthalmological methods, as well as immunological (determination of CD4 cells and viral load), serological (detection of antibodies to herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, chlamydia, toxoplasma), general clinical methods, and consultations by allied specialists. RESULTS: Ophthalmopathology requiring in-patient care was detected in 75 people (84 eyes). Men comprised 76%, women - 24%; average age was 32.82±8.68 years. The stage of HIV infection was known in 78.66% of patients: stage II - in 5% of cases, stage III - in 32%, stage IV - in 63%. Co-infection (hepatitis B and C, syphilis, tuberculosis) was detected in 81% of patients. HIV-related diseases (cytomegalovirus and herpes infection, candidiasis, toxoplasmosis) were observed in 48% of individuals. The time of emergence of ocular pathology from the time of HIV detection ranged from 1 day to 14 years. Inflammatory ocular diseases occurred in 55% of cases, dystrophic disorders - in 18%, eye traumas - in 24%, and strabismus - in 3% of patients. Reduced level of CD4 (less than 500 cells/mm3) was more prevalent (72.13%) among the study patients. As of the time of the study, only 36.4% of patients were receiving antiretroviral therapy. CONCLUSION: Among the studied individuals, eye lesion was mostly severe, inflammatory in nature; it occurred more frequently in stage IV HIV patients with reduced number of CD4 lymphocytes who was not receiving antiretroviral therapy.

CD8+ T cell expansion in HIV/HCV coinfection is associated with systemic inflammation.

High prevalence of non-AIDS-defining illnesses in treated HIV-infected patients is associated with increased peripheral CD8+ T cell counts. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection is an additional risk factor for the development of non-AIDS events. We found that, in HIV/HCV coinfection, the increased proportion of CD8+ T lymphocytes is due to the effector memory and terminal effector T cells gain. Moreover, in these patients, the accumulation of highly differentiated forms of CD8+ T lymphocytes was associated with increased concentrations of inflammatory indices.

HCV coinfection of the HIV-infected patients with discordant CD4+ T-cell response to antiretroviral therapy leads to intense systemic inflammation.

The level of proinflammatory markers was assessed in HIV-infected patients that were coinfected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and had failed to restore the CD4+ T cell counts (immunological nonresponders, INR) during the antiretroviral therapy (ART). Among four patient groups (HIV+HCV- and HIV+HCV+ subjects with the concordant response to ART; HIV+HCV- and HIV+HCV+ subjects that were INR), the greatest systemic inflammation was in the latter group. The maximum difference was between the subjects HIV+HCV-INR and HIV+HCV+ INR: the blood of coinfected patients contained significantly higher concentrations of the IP-10, sCD163, sTNF-RI, and sTNF-RII and of bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Systemic inflammation in HIV/HCV coinfected patients with the discordant response to ART is probably caused by a breach of hepatic barrier for the intestine products.

[Causes of T lymphocyte activation in HIV-infected patients coinfected with hepatitis C virus]. / Prichiny aktivatsii T-limfotsitov u VICh-infitsiro-vannykh patsientov, koinfitsirovannykh virusom gepatita C.

AIM: To establish the causes of T lymphocyte activation in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients coinfected with hepatitis C (HCV) who are adherent to their antiretroviral therapy regimen and interferon untreated. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Examinations were made in 62 people who were HIV+HCV-positive (n=21), HIV+HCV-negative (n=21), and noninfected volunteers (n=20). The activation (CD38+HLA-DR+) and proliferation (Ki-67+) of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes were estimated. The blood concentration of intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) was determined. RESULTS: The proportion of activated cells among the CD4+ T lymphocytes was equal in the HIV+HCV-positive and HIV+HCV-negative groups. But these indicators were statistically significantly higher than those in the controls (HIV- HCV-). CD8+ T cell activation was greater in the HIV/HCV-coinfected patients than that in the other groups and that was higher in the HIV monoinfected than in the noninfected. The blood I-FABP concentrations were elevated in the HIV+HCV-positive and HIV+HCV groups compared with those in the HIV-HCV-negative group, but these did not differ among themselves. In the HIV+HCV-negative patients, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell activation directly and statistically significantly correlated with blood I-FABP levels. In the HIV+HCV-positive group, this correlation remained only for CD4+ T lymphocytes. CD8+ T cell activation in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients was unrelated to I-FABP concentrations. CONCLUSION: The increased activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in HIV monoinfection was found to be associated with intestinal epithelial destruction and unrelated to cell division processes. In HIV/HCV coinfection, the activated state of CD4+ T cells is determined by both the level of proliferative processes and impairment of the intestinal barrier and that of CD8+ T cells is only by proliferation.

Immune complexes that contain HIV antigens activate peripheral blood T cells.

Uninfected donor T cells were treated in vitro by model immune complexes that contained either HIV or hepatitis C virus (HCV) antigens. Unlike HCV antigen-containing complexes, the immune complexes that contained HIV antigens have been shown to activate peripheral blood T cells of uninfected donors under in vitro conditions. Both the antiviral antibodies and HIV antigen were involved in the activation process. The unique properties of the immune complexes formed by HIV antigens and antiviral antibodies are believed to result from the virus-specific antibody properties and molecular conformation of the antigen-antibody complex.

Effect of Hepatitis C Virus Coinfection on the Content of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T Cell Subpopulations in HIV-Infected Patients Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy.

We studied the effect of hepatitis C virus coinfection on T cell subpopulations in HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy. Coinfection with hepatitis C virus was followed by a decrease in the number of naive CD4(+) T cells and an increase in the count of central CD8(+) memory T cells in these patients. Hepatitis C virus had no effect on the number of CD4(+) memory T cells (main target for HIV). This can explain the absence of strong negative effect of hepatitis C virus on the course of HIV infection.

[SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATION AND COMPROMISED INTESTINAL BARRIER DURING SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF HIV INFECTION].

UNLABELLED: The relationship between immunity disorders, destruction of intestinal barrier and development of systemic inflammation during antiviral therapy in patients with HIV infection is a topical issue in terms of suppression of virus replication and reduction of its role in the pathological process. STUDY OBJECT: Blood of HIV-infected patients given antiretroviral therapy (n = 21) and non-infected volunteers (n = 20). METHODS: Identification of cells among CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-lymphocytes expressing markers of activation (CD38, HLA-DR), depletion (PD-1), and interleukin (IL) 7 receptor (CD127); measurement of blood levels of IL-6, neopterin, soluble CD14 (sCD14), intestinal fatty acid-binding peptide (I-FABP), and bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Correlation analysis of the dependence between cell immunity and systemic inflammation was performed. RESULTS: HIV-infected patients had more activated CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-lymphocytes and CD4⁺ T-cells expressing PD-1 marker than non-infected subjects but less CD4⁺ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes expressing CD127. Blood IL-6, neopterin, soluble CD14, I-FABP and bacterial lipopolysaccharide levels in the former were higher than in the latter HIV-infected patients showed significant correlation of cell immunity parameters with blood neopterin and FABP levels. CONCLUSION: The process of activation, depletion, and regeneration of T-lymphocytes in. HIV infection are related to the destruction of intestinal barrier and systemic macrophage activation.

Systemic inflammation and liver damage in HIV/hepatitis C virus coinfection.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV viral infections are characterized by systemic inflammation. Yet the relative levels, drivers and correlates of inflammation in these settings are not well defined. METHODS: Seventy-nine HIV-infected patients who had been receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) for more than 2 years and who had suppressed plasma HIV levels (< 50 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL) were included in the study. Two patient groups, HCV-positive/HIV-positive and HCV-negative/HIV-positive, and a control group comprised of healthy volunteers (n = 20) were examined. Markers of systemic inflammation [interleukin (IL)-6, interferon gamma-induced protein (IP)-10, soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor-I (sTNF-RI) and sTNF-RII], monocyte/macrophage activation [soluble CD163 (sCD163), soluble CD14 and neopterin], intestinal epithelial barrier loss [intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)] and coagulation (d-dimers) were analysed. CD4 naïve T cells and CD4 recent thymic emigrants (RTEs) were enumerated. RESULTS: Plasma levels of IP-10, neopterin and sCD163 were higher in HCV/HIV coinfection than in HIV monoinfection and were positively correlated with indices of hepatic damage [aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and the AST to platelet ratio index (APRI)]. Levels of I-FABP were comparably increased in HIV monoinfection and HIV/HCV coinfection but LPS concentrations were highest in HCV/HIV coinfection, suggesting impaired hepatic clearance of LPS. Plasma HCV levels were not related to any inflammatory indices except sCD163. In coinfected subjects, a previously recognized relationship of CD4 naïve T-cell and RTE counts to hepatocellular injury was defined more mechanistically by an inverse relationship to sCD163. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatocellular injury in HCV/HIV coinfection is linked to elevated levels of certain inflammatory cytokines and an apparent failure to clear systemically translocated microbial products. A related decrease in CD4 naïve T cells and RTEs also merits further exploration.

Characteristics of Circulating Immune Complexes in HIV-Infected Patients with Different Viral Load.

Serum concentration of antiviral antibodies was measured in HIV-infected patients with different viral load. It was found that higher concentrations of HIV-antigens correspond to higher titer of antiviral antibodies. Circulating immune complexes were isolated from patients' serum to estimate their size and immunoglobulin composition. High levels of small IgG- and IgM-containing complexes were identified in HIV-infected patients. In patients receiving antiretroviral treatment, the content of these complexes was significantly lower than in patients with high HIV load. This attests to positive role of specific therapy in preventing immune complex-associated pathology in HIV patients.

Discordant response of CD4(+) T cells to antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients coinfected with hepatitis C virus is accompanied by increased liver damage.

A study of HIV-infected patients coinfected with hepatitis C virus and receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) but not treated with interferon was performed. Patients were divided into two groups-with standard and inefficient recovery of CD4(+) T cells. It was found that patients with discordant response of CD4(+) T cells to ART showed heavier destructive processes in the liver than the successfully recovered subjects. They had increased levels of ALT and AST. In these patients, the risk of development of liver cirrhosis is greater.

[Reactogenicity, safety, immunogenicity and prophylactic effectiveness of polysaccharide pneumococcus vaccine during immunization of HIV-infected patients].

AIM: Study safety, reactogenicity, immunogenicity and prophylactic effectiveness of polysaccharide pneumococcus vaccines during immunization of adult HIV-infected patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 200 HIV-infected patients at stages 3 to 4A of the disease aged 20 to 50 years with the quantity of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in blood of no less than 500 microl(-1) took part in the study. 100 individuals immunized with polysaccharide 23-valent pneumococcus vaccine (Pneumo 23, Sanofi Pasteur, France) constituted the observation group. 100 individuals not immunized against pneumococcus infection constituted the comparison group. The groups were standardized by sex, age and disease stage. Vaccine reactogenicity was evaluated by detection of general and local postvaccination reactions, degree of their intensity and duration. Vaccine safety was evaluated based on comparative evaluation of results of general clinical and biochemical studies of blood, general urine analysis, determination of IgE in blood sera, CD4+ T-lymphocytes level, quantity of HIV RNA (viral load) before vaccination and 28 days after the immunization. Vaccine immunogenicity was evaluated by determination in blood sera of IgG against a mixture of Streptococcus pneumoniae polysaccharides comprising Pneumo 23. Prophylaxis effectiveness of the preparation was evaluated by juxtaposition of acute respiratory illness morbidity in observation and control groups. RESULTS: During immunization of HIV-infected patients against pneumococcus infection postvaccination complications, severe local and general postvaccination reactions were not detected, laboratory studies carried out before and after the immunization gave evidence on the lack of progression of the main disease and activization of the infectious process. After the immunization the geometric mean antibody titer against S. pneumoniae increased by 2 times and reached protective level. Index of prophylactic effectiveness of Pneumo 23 vaccines during immunization of HIV-positive patients was 5.6, and relative risk of the disease in the immunized group--0.07, in the control group--0.42. CONCLUSION: The data provided give evidence on the high prophylactic effect of vaccination of immune compromised HIV-positive patients with a lack of deterioration of the main disease course.

[Nikavir in chemoprevention regimens for vertical HIV infection transmission].

In 2007-2008, the Perm Territorial Center for Prevention and Control of AIDS and Communicable Diseases investigated the efficacy of the Russian antiretrovirus drug Nikavir used in various chemoprevention (CP) regimens for perinatal HIV infection, by analyzing epidemiological findings and the results of the clinical and laboratory studies of patients. The study covered 38 HIV-infected pregnant women aged 18-32 years and their 38 born babies. From 23-32 weeks gestation to labor, the women started receiving CP using Nikavir in combination with epivir (Group 1; n = 20) and highly active antiretrovirus therapy, including Nikavir with epivir and viramune or kaletra (Group 2; n = 18). During the investigation, the viral burden (VB) and the count of CD4+ lymphocytes were determined and physical examinations were conducted to reveal therapy-induced adverse reactions. Polymerase chain reaction used to test HIV DNA in babies at 1.5 and months of life for early diagnosis of HIV infection. Both CP regimens showed a high efficiency, as suggested by no perinatal infection in the born babies, by a reduction of VB in the HIV-infected women to the undetectable level, and by an increase in the count of CD4+ lymphocytes. No adverse reactions due to the intake of the drugs were recorded.