HIV-induced type I interferon and tryptophan catabolism drive T cell dysfunction despite phenotypic activation.

ABSTRACT: Infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is characterized by functional impairment and chronic activation of T lymphocytes, the causes of which are largely unexplained. We cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from HIV-uninfected donors in the presence or absence of HIV. HIV exposure increased expression of the activation markers CD69 and CD38 on CD4 and CD8 T cells. IFN-alpha/beta, produced by HIV-activated plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC), was necessary and sufficient for CD69 and CD38 upregulation, as the HIV-induced effect was inhibited by blockade of IFN-alpha/beta receptor and mimicked by recombinant IFN-alpha/beta. T cells from HIV-exposed PBMC showed reduced proliferation after T cell receptor stimulation, partially prevented by 1-methyl tryptophan, a comp

SUBMITTER: Boasso A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2491901 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature