Interleukin-27 is differentially associated with HIV viral load and CD4+ T cell counts in therapy-naïve HIV-mono-infected and HIV/HCV-co-infected Chinese

Study of Inflammatory Biomarkers in Treatment-Naive HIV Patients and Their Correlation With Clusters of Differentiation 4 (CD4) Count

Introduction The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) primarily targets clusters of differentiation 4 (CD4)+ T cells and other immune cells, leading to immune dysfunction. Cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-23 and IL-27 have complex roles in HIV-associated disease progression, affecting viral replication and immune responses. This study aimed to explore the correlation between HIV-related CD4 lymphopenia and the inflammatory cytokines IL-23 and IL-27 in treatment-naive HIV patients.  Materials and methods This is a single-center, prospective, observational study conducted at the Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) Center of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India. Sixty-five treatment-naive HIV seropositive patients were recruited in this study. Quantitative estimation of inflammatory biomarkers (IL-23 and IL-27) was performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The fluorescent-activated cell sorter count (FACSCount) technology was used to determine the CD4+ T-cell count.  Results Our study revealed that HIV-infected individuals had significantly higher levels of IL-23 (868.9±246.7 pg/mL vs 98.3±86.6 pg/mL, p < 0.01) and IL-27 (1629.5±518.5 pg/mL vs 291.3±225.2 pg/mL, p < 0.01) compared to healthy controls. Additionally, we found a strong positive correlation between CD4 count and IL-23 titers (r = 0.93, p < 0.01), as well as between CD4 count and IL-27 titers (r = 0.92, p < 0.01) in HIV-positive individuals.  Conclusion The findings suggest that these cytokines respond to HIV infection and may potentially play a crucial role in restraining HIV replication and slowing down the progression of the disease.

IL-27 expression regulation and its effects on adaptive immunity against viruses

IL-27, a member of the IL-6/IL-12 cytokine superfamily, is primarily secreted by antigen presenting cells, specifically by dendric cells, macrophages and B cells. IL-27 has antiviral activities and modulates both innate and adaptive immune responses against viruses. The role of IL-27 in the setting of viral infections is not well defined and both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory functions have been described. Here, we discuss the latest advancements in the role of IL-27 in several viral infection models of human disease. We highlight important aspects of IL-27 expression regulation, the critical cell sources at different stages of the infection and their impact in cell mediated immunity. Lastly, we discuss the need to better define the antiviral and modulatory (pro-inflammatory vs anti-inflammatory) properties of IL-27 in the context of human chronic viral infections.

Interleukin-27 Promotes Divergent Effects on HIV-1 Infection in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells through BST-2/Tetherin

Interleukin-27 (IL-27) is able to inhibit HIV-1 replication in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), macrophages, and dendritic cells. Here, we identify that IL-27 can produce opposing effects on HIV-1 replication in PBMCs and that the HIV-1 restriction factor BST-2/Tetherin is involved in both inhibitory and enhancing effects on HIV-1 infection induced by IL-27. IL-27 inhibited HIV-1 replication when added to cells 2 h after infection, promoting the prototypical BST-2/Tetherin-induced virion accumulation at the cell membrane of HIV-1-infected PBMCs. BST-2/Tetherin gene expression was significantly upregulated in the IL-27-treated PBMCs, with a simultaneous increase in the number of BST-2/Tetherin⁺ cells. The silencing of BST-2/Tetherin diminished the anti-HIV-1 effect of IL-27. In contrast, IL-27 increased HIV-1 production when added to infected cells 4 days after infection. This enhancing effect was prevented by BST-2/Tetherin gene knockdown, which also permitted IL-27 to function again as an HIV-1 inhibitory factor. These contrasting roles of IL-27 were associated with the dynamic of viral production, since the IL-27-mediated enhancement of virus replication was prevented by antiretroviral treatment of infected cells, as well as by keeping cells under agitation to avoid cell-to-cell contact. Likewise, inhibition of CD11a, an integrin associated with HIV-1 cell-to-cell transmission, abrogated the IL-27 enhancement of HIV-1 production. Our findings illustrate the complexity of the HIV-1-host interactions and may impact the potential therapeutic use of IL-27 and other soluble mediators that induce BST-2/Tetherin expression for HIV-1 infection. IMPORTANCE Here, we describe new findings related to the ability of the cytokine IL-27 to regulate the growth of HIV-1 in CD4⁺ T lymphocytes. IL-27 has long been considered a potent inhibitor of HIV-1 replication, a notion based on several reports showing that this cytokine controls HIV-1 infection in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), monocyte-derived macrophages, and dendritic cells. However, our present results are contrary to the current knowledge that IL-27 acts only as a powerful downregulator of HIV-1 replication. We observed that IL-27 can either prevent or enhance viral growth in PBMCs, an outcome dependent on when this cytokine is added to the infected cells. We detected that the increase of HIV-1 dissemination is due to enhanced cell-to-cell transmission with the involvement of the interferon-induced HIV-1 restriction factor BST-2/Tetherin and CD11a (LFA-1), an integrin that participates in formation of virological synapse.

The Effectiveness of Peer Group Support to Increase Health Related Quality of Life among Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Patients: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND: The quality of life (QoL) of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) patients affects the health condition of HIV/AIDS patients and can cause the condition to worsen, the role of peer groups is very important in increasing the morale of the patients. AIM: This review aims to analyze the effectiveness of Peer Group Support to Increase Health Related to QoL among HIV/AIDS patients. METHODS: A systematic review conducted on September–December 2020 using five electronic databases (Scopus, Science Direct, CINAHL, PubMed, and ProQuest). The study mean was quasi-experimental and randomized control and trial design. The Center for Review and Dissemination and the Joanna Briggs Institute Guideline used to assess quality and PRISMA checklist to guide this review. Title, abstract, full-text, and methodology were assessed for the eligibility of the studies, and result synthesis was analyzed using narrative for every themes. RESULTS: Twenty three studies were found and met inclusion criteria in the review after risk of bias had assessed. The entire article discusses the benefits of peer group support in improving the QoL of HIV/AIDS patients, including: (1) Being a storyteller; (2) provide mutual motivation; (3) success story; (4) increase resilience; (5) preventing negative stigma; and (6) improve patient’s feelings so that immunity continues to improve. CONCLUSION: Based on the summary of the study, it shows that peer group support is very useful in improving the QoL of HIV/AIDS patients, because it can monitor each other’s health conditions.

Immunovirological Assessment of HIV-Infected Patients and Phylogenetic Analysis of the Virus in Northeast of Iran

Background: The reliable laboratory tests, co-infection with other tumor viruses, and determining the genetic types are very important for therapy and monitoring of the clinical status of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected subjects. Objectives: This study evaluated the co-infection of HIV with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), the viral load, the progression of infection, and its correlation with the clinical status. Methods: Twenty HIV-infected cases were assessed for T cell subpopulations, HBV, HCV, and HTLV-1 co-infection, as well as the viral load. For phylogenetic relationships analysis, the HIV-c2-v5 fragment and p17 of gag were amplified, sequenced, and then clustered using phylogenetic analysis by MEGA software with maximum-likelihood. Results: The quantity of HIV viral load by qRT-PCR (TaqMan) and Cobas-Amplicor monitor test had a very strong correlation (R = 0.881, P < 0.0001). A significant negative correlation was also found between CD4+ cell count and Cobas-Amplicor (R = -0.41, P = 0.06). A significant negative correlation was also found between CD4+ cell count and Cobas-Amplicor (R = -0.41, P = 0.06) with HIV monitor test results (R = -0.41, P = 0.06). The phylogenetic analysis for p17 regions in gag and c2-v5 in env genes showed that all subjects had AD genotype. The co-infection of the HIV subjects with HBV, HCV, and HTLV-1 was 75%, 75%, and 15%, respectively. A direct correlation was observed between CD8+ and HIV-HTLV-1 co-infection. Conclusions: The results showed that HIV CRF35-AD, (M group) is more frequent in the northeast of Iran, and both real-time quantification methods were reliable for monitoring the HIV-1 viral load. In addition, the transmission rate of HTLV-1 is lower than HBV and HCV among drug abusers.

Interferons and beyond: Induction of antiretroviral restriction factors

Antiviral restriction factors are structurally and functionally diverse cellular proteins that play a key role in the first line of defense against viral pathogens. Although many cell types constitutively express restriction factors at low levels, their induction in response to viral exposure and replication is often required for potent control and repulse of the invading pathogens. It is well established that type I IFNs efficiently induce antiviral restriction factors. Accumulating evidence suggests that other types of IFN, as well as specific cytokines, such as IL-27, and other activators of the cell are also capable of enhancing the expression of restriction factors and hence to establish an antiviral cellular state. Agents that efficiently induce restriction factors, increase their activity, and/or render them resistant against viral antagonists without causing general inflammation and significant side effects hold some promise for novel therapeutic or preventive strategies. In the present review, we summarize some of the current knowledge on the induction of antiretroviral restriction factors and perspectives for therapeutic application.