Behavior of non-classical soluble HLA class G antigens in human immunodeficiency virus 1-infected patients before and after HAART: comparison with classical soluble HLA-A, -B, -C antigens and potential role in immune-reconstitution

Clin Immunol. 2009 Nov;133(2):238-44. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2009.08.002. Epub 2009 Sep 17.

Abstract

We have reported that serum level of soluble HLA-A, -B, -C (sHLA-A,-B,-C) antigens is elevated in HIV-infected subjects and decreases after antiretroviral therapy (HAART). In this study, we measured the levels of soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) antigens in a cohort of HIV-infected patients before and during HAART. sHLA-G and sHLA-A, -B, -C levels were significantly elevated in HIV-infected subjects as compared with controls before antiretroviral treatment and significantly decreased after 36 months of HAART. sHLA-G levels were correlated with sHLA-A, -B, -C levels, the decrease of plasma HIV-RNA level, the increase of CD4+ T-lymphocyte number and the decrease of CD8+ T-lymphocyte number. These results suggest that the measurement of sHLA-G and sHLA-A, -B, -C antigen serum levels might represent a useful surrogate marker to monitor virological response and immune reconstitution in HIV-positive subjects undergoing HAART treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / blood*
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • HIV-1 / genetics*
  • HLA Antigens / blood*
  • HLA-A Antigens / blood*
  • HLA-B Antigens / blood*
  • HLA-C Antigens / blood*
  • HLA-G Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / blood*
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA, Viral / blood
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Sex Characteristics
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • HLA Antigens
  • HLA-A Antigens
  • HLA-B Antigens
  • HLA-C Antigens
  • HLA-G Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • RNA, Viral