Longitudinal changes in plasma Caspase-1 and Caspase-3 during the first 2 years of HIV-1 infection in CD4Low and CD4High patient groups

PLoS One. 2015 Mar 25;10(3):e0121011. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0121011. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Over 95% of CD4 cell death occurs by Caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis during HIV infection. Caspase-3-mediated apoptosis accounts for the death in a small proportion of infected CD4 cells. To date, there have been no reports on the dynamics of Caspase-1 and Caspase-3 and their relationship with disease progression in acute HIV-1 infection. In this study, two distinct HIV-1 patient groups were enrolled. The CD4High group maintained a CD4 level above 450 cells/μl while CD4 levels in the CD4Low group dropped below 250 cells/μl within 2 years after infection. Blood samples were collected at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12 and 24 months after HIV infection. Plasma Caspase-1 and Caspase-3 levels in the two patients groups were determined by a single-step ELISA using commercially available monoclonal antibodies. The results showed that Caspase-1 and Caspase-3 levels in the CD4High group increased rapidly and then decreased within a short time during early HIV-1 infection. In contrast, Caspase-1 and Caspase-3 levels in the CD4Low group were obviously increased after 1 year of HIV-1 infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes*
  • Caspase 1 / blood*
  • Caspase 3 / blood*
  • Disease Progression
  • HIV Infections / blood*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Caspase 3
  • Caspase 1

Grants and funding

This study was supported in part by the National 12th Five-Year Major Projects of China (2012ZX10001-003, 2012ZX10001-006), High-level health personnel training program of Beijing health system (2013-3-072), Capital Medical University based-clinical cooperation projects (14JL70), Development and Application Research of Beijing AIDS Clinical Data and Sample Repository (D131100005313005).