Induction of interleukin-10 by HIV antigens in peripheral mononuclear cells of health care workers after occupational exposure to HIV-1-positive blood

Abstract

Evaluation of HIV-induced IL-2 production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and HIV-specific T helper and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses in health care workers (HCW) occupationally exposed to HIV reveals a high rate of response to HIV among non-seroconverters. IL-10 is also known to interfere with HIV infection in vitro. To evaluate the induction of IL-10 by HIV antigens in HCW occupationally exposed to HIV, 18 HCW with percutaneous injury were enrolled in this study, 9 of them exposed to HIV-contaminated blood, and 9 exposed to HIV-negative blood. PBMC were incubated on plates coated with HIV-1 antigens, and IL-10 was measured in supernatants by ELISA. Five of nine HCW exposed to HIV-contaminated blood presented HIV-induced IL-10. Two of nine HCW exposed to HIV-negative source patients also had detectable levels of HIV-induced IL-10, one of them in the sample obtained on the day of accidental exposure. There was a relationship between the type of device involved in injury and IL-10 production. Individuals exposed to hollow needles or scalpels presented HIV-induced IL-10, whereas those exposed to solid needles and to digital puncture did not, suggesting a relationship between infectious load and IL-10. Although occupational exposure to HIV leads to a low rate of seroconversion, these individuals can develop an antigen-specific immune response characterized in our study by induction of IL-10 in PBMC in vitro

The role of interleukin 10 in the pathogenesis and potential treatment of skin diseases

“…It is now believed that HIV induces IL-10 and elevated IL-10 is associated with disease progression toward AIDS. 62,67 The detection of HIV-1-specific IL-10-inducing CD4ϩ T cells, as well as studies of IL-10 and NK cell function in HIV patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), has supported the notion that HIV-1 may directly subvert specific immune responses by inducing IL-10. 65,68 In one study, HIVspecific IL-2 and IFN-␥ production was augmented while IL-10 production was reduced in patients who received efavirenz, nelfinavir, and stavudine.…”