Expression of Regeneration and Tolerance Factor Correlates Directly with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Inversely with Hepatitis C Virus Infection

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American Society for Microbiology

RESUMO

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cause two of the most prevalent debilitating viral infections. HIV appears to induce a skewing toward a Th2 response, while in HCV infection a Th1 response appears to dominate. Regeneration and tolerance factor (RTF) may participate in driving or sustaining a Th2 cytokine response. The expression of RTF on CD3+ T cells of HIV-seropositive (HIV+) individuals is increased. The purpose of this study was to compare the expression of RTF during HIV infections with that during HCV infections. Three-color flow-cytometric analysis of peripheral blood collected from HIV+ HCV-seropositive (HCV+), HIV- and HCV-seropositive (HIV+ HCV+), and HIV- and HCV-seronegative (HIV− HCV−) individuals was performed. Levels of RTF expression on T-lymphocyte subsets from these groups were compared, as were levels of RTF expression on activated T cells expressing CD38 and HLA-DR, to determine the relationship of RTF expression to these infections. We demonstrated that the expression of RTF on surfaces of T cells from HIV+ individuals is upregulated and that its expression on T cells from HCV+ individuals is downregulated. A twofold increase in the mean channel fluorescence of RTF on CD3+ T cells was seen in both HIV+ and HIV+ HCV+ individuals compared to HIV− HCV− individuals. HCV+ individuals had lower levels of RTF expression than HIV− HCV− individuals (P < 0.005 for CD4+; P < 0.0005 for CD8+). In terms of percentages of T cells expressing RTF, the groups were ranked as follows: HIV+ > HIV+ HCV+ > HIV− HCV− > HCV+. The results indicate that RTF expression correlates with HIV-associated immune activation and may be associated with Th2-type responses.

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