Multi-way flow cytometric immune monitoring of antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected children

Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol. 1998 Apr-Jun;57(2):99-110.

Abstract

In 40 HIV-infected children, 8-10 years old, belonging to the category A state of infection, the following flow-cytometric parameters were scored: percentage levels of different blood lymphocytes; surface expression of some activation and memory markers in CD4+ cells; switch to Th1 or Th2 of in vitro -stimulated CD4+ cell, tested by intracellular production of interleukin-2 or interleukin-4. Each investigation was carried out both before and 3 months after antiretroviral therapy (AZT and ddC). Some post-therapy changes concerning blood lymphocyte percentages were noticed, not only within CD4+ subpopulation, but also within CD8+, HLA-DR+/CD3 (T-activated) and CD16+CD56+ cells, respectively. On the other hand, following antiretroviral treatment, in HIV- originated CD4+ fresh cells, an improvement of pre-therapy increased values of surface activation (CD69, CD25) markers on memory (CD45RO+) cells, as well as of pre-therapy reduced rate of switching to Th1, revealed by intracellular interleukin-2 synthesis, was found. The significance of data obtained in the multi-way immune monitoring of antiretroviral therapy, in pediatric AIDS, as an additional investigation panel, is discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-HIV Agents / immunology
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antigens, CD / analysis
  • Child
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Flow Cytometry
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Memory
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Antigens, CD
  • Cytokines