Abstract:In this study, we aimed to quantify KREC (kappa-deleting recombination excision circle) levels and naive B cell output in healthy HIV-uninfected children, compared with HIV-infected South African children, before and after starting ART (antiretroviral therapy). Samples were acquired from a Child Wellness Clinic (n = 288 HIV-uninfected South African children, 2 weeks–12 years) and the Children with HIV Early Antiretroviral Therapy (CHER) trial (n = 153 HIV-infected South African children, 7 weeks–8 years). Naiv… Show more
“…Little is known about B-lymphocyte recovery among early and chronically HIV-infected patients. Recently, higher KRECs levels were observed in HIV-infected children compared with uninfected healthy controls during the first 3 months of life [65]. This difference was explained by a greater differentiation from naïve to memory B cells and by higher rates of cell turnover, which lead to a compensatory increase in new B cells from the bone marrow.…”
Background
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.
Methods
We 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.
Results
While 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.
Conclusions
In 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.
“…Little is known about B-lymphocyte recovery among early and chronically HIV-infected patients. Recently, higher KRECs levels were observed in HIV-infected children compared with uninfected healthy controls during the first 3 months of life [65]. This difference was explained by a greater differentiation from naïve to memory B cells and by higher rates of cell turnover, which lead to a compensatory increase in new B cells from the bone marrow.…”
Background
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.
Methods
We 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.
Results
While 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.
Conclusions
In 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.
In some infectious diseases, the number of T- and B-lymphocytes is significantly reduced which is associated with a high risk of the disease progression. The article reviews the effect of two RNA-containing viruses on the specific immune system: SARS-CoV-2 and HIV, as well as parameters of T- and B-cell neogenesis of TREC and KREC, which are markers of immunological disorders and can be used for prognosis for these infections.
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