Project description:The effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and high-level HIV replication on the function of monocytes was investigated. HIV-positive patients had elevated levels of spontaneous production of some or all of the monocyte proinflammatory cytokines measured (interleukin-1beta [IL-1beta], IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-alpha]) compared to uninfected controls. In patients on therapy with high frequencies of monocytes producing proinflammatory cytokines, this frequency was diminished in the context of viremia during an interruption of therapy. Diminished production of proinflammatory cytokines during viremia was restored by culture with autologous CD4(+) T cells or monocytes from an on-therapy time point or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Microarray analysis demonstrated that diminished monocyte production of proinflammatory cytokines was correlated with elevated type I interferon-stimulated gene transcripts. The addition of exogenous alpha 2A interferon diminished the spontaneous production of IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha but did not affect responses to LPS, recapitulating the changes observed for HIV-viremic patients. These results suggest that monocyte function is diminished during high-level HIV viremia and that this effect is mediated by chronic stimulation by type I interferons. This effect on monocytes during viremia may play a role in diminished innate or adaptive immune system functions in HIV-infected patients. In addition, the restoration of these functions may also play a role in some immune reconstitution syndromes observed during initiation of therapy.
Project description:This study aimed at investigating the monocytic transcriptome distinction between patients with sustained virus suppression (BDL) and patients with virological failure during highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). This study provides the first transcriptomic distinctions in monocytes between viremic patients and BDLs on HAART. Our results reflected the outcome balanced between subversion of monocyte transcriptome by HIV and compensatory effect adapted by host cells. Total RNA obtained from primary monocytes from five HIV+ patients on HAART who sustainably controlled HIV below detection level (BDL), five HIV+ patients on HAART who consecutively experienced viremia and four healthy HIV sero-negative controls were compared against each other.
Project description:Longitudinal analysis of monocyte gene expressions patterns before and after cessation of HAART: understanding the impact of HIV viremia on the monocyte tranascritome. We used microarrays to detail the global program of gene expression underlying defects in monocytes from HIV infected patients during viremia.. Diminished Production of Monocyte Proinflammatory Cytokines During HIV Viremia is Mediated by Interferon-alpha: The in vivo effect of high-level HIV replication on the function of monocytes was investigated. HIV-positive patients had elevated spontaneous production of monocyte proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1?, IL-6, and TNF-?) compared to uninfected controls. These levels were highest in patients on-therapy and was diminished, in the context of viremia, following an interruption of therapy. Diminished production of proinflammatory cytokines during viremia was restored by culturing with autologous CD4+ T cells or monocytes from an on-therapy time point, or by the addition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Microarray analysis demonstrated that diminished monocyte production of proinflammatory cytokines was correlated with elevated levels of type I interferon-stimulated gene transcripts. Addition of exogenous IFN-?2A suppressed the spontaneous production of IL-1?, IL-6, and TNF-? but did not affect responses to LPS, recapitulating the changes observed in HIV viremic patients. These results suggest that high-level HIV viremia inhibits monocyte function through chronic stimulation by IFN-?. This effect of viremia on monocytes may play a role in diminished adaptive immune system functions in HIV-infected patients. Restoration of these functions may contribute to the partial immune reconstitution observed following therapy and may be involved in immune reconstitution and inflammatory syndrome seen in some patients. Keywords: Longitudinal comparison
Project description:Tuberculosis-associated Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (TB-IRIS) is a common complication in HIV-TB co-infected patients receiving combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). While monocytes/macrophages play major roles in both HIV- and TB-infection individually, a putative contribution of monocytes to the development of TB-IRIS remains unexamined. We performed a genome-wide array analysis on MOs purified from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained before initiation of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) to verify whether the transcriptome of MOs was already significantly modulated (even before receiving cART) in HIV+/TB+ patients who later developed TB-IRIS compared to control HIV+/TB+ patients who did not develop the complication . The subjects under study included a subset of 18 TB-IRIS patients and controls matched for age, gender and CD4 count.
Project description:Tuberculosis-associated Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (TB-IRIS) is a common complication in HIV-TB coinfected patients receiving combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). While monocytes/macrophages play major roles in both HIV- and TB-infection individually, a putative contribution of monocytes to the development of TB-IRIS remains unexamined. To investigate the possible functional contribution of monocytes to TB-IRIS pathogenesis, one of our first steps was to apply a genome-wide microarray analysis in monocytes of HIV-TB co-infected patients shortly after cART initiation. Based on the coparison of gene profiles between the TB-IRIS group and the control group, the modulated genes and pathways will be further investigated.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of Homo sapiens inflammatory skin diseases (whole skin biospies): Psoriasis (Pso), vs Atopic Dermatitis (AD) vs Lichen planus (Li), vs Contact Eczema (KE), vs Healthy control (KO) In recent years, different genes and proteins have been highlighted as potential biomarkers for psoriasis, one of the most common inflammatory skin diseases worldwide. However, most of these markers are not psoriasis-specific but also found in other inflammatory disorders. We performed an unsupervised cluster analysis of gene expression profiles in 150 psoriasis patients and other inflammatory skin diseases (atopic dermatitis, lichen planus, contact eczema, and healthy controls). We identified a cluster of IL-17/TNFα-associated genes specifically expressed in psoriasis, among which IL-36γ was the most outstanding marker. In subsequent immunohistological analyses IL-36γ was confirmed to be expressed in psoriasis lesions only. IL-36γ peripheral blood serum levels were found to be closely associated with disease activity, and they decreased after anti-TNFα-treatment. Furthermore, IL-36γ immunohistochemistry was found to be a helpful marker in the histological differential diagnosis between psoriasis and eczema in diagnostically challenging cases. These features highlight IL-36γ as a valuable biomarker in psoriasis patients, both for diagnostic purposes and measurement of disease activity during the clinical course. Furthermore, IL-36γ might also provide a future drug target, due to its potential amplifier role in TNFα- and IL-17 pathways in psoriatic skin inflammation. In recent years, different genes and proteins have been highlighted as potential biomarkers for psoriasis, one of the most common inflammatory skin diseases worldwide. However, most of these markers are not psoriasis-specific but also found in other inflammatory disorders. We performed an unsupervised cluster analysis of gene expression profiles in 150 psoriasis patients and other inflammatory skin diseases (atopic dermatitis, lichen planus, contact eczema, and healthy controls). We identified a cluster of IL-17/TNFα-associated genes specifically expressed in psoriasis, among which IL-36γ was the most outstanding marker. In subsequent immunohistological analyses IL-36γ was confirmed to be expressed in psoriasis lesions only. IL-36γ peripheral blood serum levels were found to be closely associated with disease activity, and they decreased after anti-TNFα-treatment. Furthermore, IL-36γ immunohistochemistry was found to be a helpful marker in the histological differential diagnosis between psoriasis and eczema in diagnostically challenging cases. These features highlight IL-36γ as a valuable biomarker in psoriasis patients, both for diagnostic purposes and measurement of disease activity during the clinical course. Furthermore, IL-36γ might also provide a future drug target, due to its potential amplifier role in TNFα- and IL-17 pathways in psoriatic skin inflammation.
Project description:We evaluated longitudinal changes in viral replication and emergence of viral variants in the context of T cell homeostasis and gene expression in GALT of three HIV-positive patients who initiated HAART during primary HIV infection but opted to interrupt therapy thereafter. Longitudinal viral sequence analysis revealed that a stable proviral reservoir was established in GALT during primary HIV infection that persisted through early HAART and post-therapy interruption. Proviral variants in GALT and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) displayed low levels of genomic diversity at all times. A rapid increase in viral loads with a modest decline of CD4 T cells in peripheral blood was observed, while gut mucosal CD4 T cell loss was severe following HAART interruption. This was accompanied by increased mucosal gene expression regulating interferon (IFN)-mediated antiviral responses and immune activation, a profile similar to those found in HAART-naive HIV-infected patients. Gut mucosal responses to HAART interruption were evaluated with Affymetrix arrays
Project description:Differential profiles from whole genome human expression arrays on monocytes obtained from peripheral blood in COPD was studied and compared with controls. Monocytes were isolated from Controls (Group 1) which included Control Smokers (Group 1A) and Control Never Smokers (Group 1B) and COPD (Group 2) which included COPD Smokers (Group 2A) and COPD ExSmokers (Group 2B). Differential transcriptomic expression associated with (i) Smoking, (ii) COPD, and (iii) cessation of smoking were identified.