Acquired immunity and Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer’s disease(AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive defects. The role of the central immune system dominated by microglia in the progression of AD has been extensively investigated. However, little is known about the peripheral immune system in AD pathogenesis.Recently, with the discovery of the meningeal lymphatic vessels and glymphatic system, the roles of the acquired immunity in the maintenance of central homeostasis and neurodegenerative diseases have attracted an increasing attention. The T cells not only regulate the function of neurons, astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes and brain microvascular endothelial cells, but also participate in the clearance of β-amyloid(Aβ) plaques. Apart from producing antibodies to bind Aβ peptides, the B cells affect Aβ-related cascades via a variety of antibodyindependent mechanisms. This review systemically summarizes the recent progress in understanding pathophysiological roles of the T cells and B cells in AD.

Evolution of Acquired Humoral Immunity after Full Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. IgG Levels in Healthcare Workers at 6 and 9 Months

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a major worldwide health problem. The present study aims to contribute to surveillance of the immune and clinical response of vaccines to SARS-CoV-2. Methods: Observational medication study on acquired immunity and effectiveness of vaccines. Population: 620 workers in the health service of Almansa (Spain). Representative sample of 150 individuals. Sociodemographic, clinical, and epidemiological data and samples were recorded to determine anti-SARS-CoV-2 serum IgG levels 6 and 9 months after vaccination with Pfizer. Results: Mean age 46.45 years;76% women;85.1% working in a hospital. 19.3% had had COVID-19 in the year prior to vaccination. 96.7% were fully vaccinated with Pfizer/BioNTech. At 6 months, 100% seropositivity and mean IgG levels of 3017.2 AU/ml. Significant variations in IgG levels in individuals with prior COVID-19 infection and smokers. At 9 months, 99.3% remained seropositive;2.8% infected after vaccination. The repeated measures analysis showed a difference in means of 669.0 AU/ml (significant decrease in IgG levels of 28.9%). Conclusion: Antibody levels remained positive 6 and 9 months after vaccination, although IgG levels were found to decay.

Factors Associated with Antiretroviral Therapy Defaulting among Adult Patients Receiving Care at Chikankata Mission Hospital, Chikankata District, Zambia

Background: Defaulting on antiretroviral therapy has been identified as the most important factor contributing to the antiretroviral therapy failure rate. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with defaulting on antiretroviral therapy among adult patients receiving care at Chikankata Mission Hospital antiretroviral therapy clinic. Method: Cross-sectional analytical study on 385 participants selected by a computer generated random numbers technique of simple random sampling from among the patients receiving antiretroviral therapy at Chikankata Mission Hospital. Data collected were processed and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 27. Univariate and backward multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with antiretroviral therapy defaulting. The level of significance was set at 5% with a confidence level of 95%. Results: Over half (58.4%) of the study participants defaulted on antiretroviral therapy. About 65.8% of study participants indicated improved health as the reason they defaulted on antiretroviral therapy. Most participants indicated that it was important to always go for antiretroviral therapy services (Adjusted Odds Ratio 1.95;95% Confidence Interval: [1.14 - 3.33], p = 0.015). Very few participants indicated poor family support for antiretroviral therapy services (Adjusted Odds Ratio 4.08;95% Confidence Interval: [2.02 - 8.23], p Conclusion: Defaulting on antiretroviral therapy continues to be a significant problem and needs to be addressed as a matter of priority. More counselling and awareness-raising programmes are required to improve knowledge and understanding on the importance of attending scheduled antiretroviral therapy clinics and services as well as the consequences of defaulting on antiretroviral therapy.

Analysis on Characteristics of Typical Syndromes of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Based on the Feature Selection Method

Objective:To discover the population characteristics of the syndrome types of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.Methods:Data mining method for feature selection was used.Results:Main symptoms based on feature selection are as follows,deficiency of both qi and blood(pale complexion,fear of cold,easy to catch a cold,pale tongue,weak pulse);liver depression and qi stagnation with effulgent fire(anxiety,insomnia,chest and hypochondrium,irregular menstruation,thin and whitish coating on the tongue,stringy pulse);dual deficiency of qi and yin(low-grade fever and night sweating,yellow urine,pale complexion,dysphoria with feverish sensation in chest,dry cough with less phlegm,weakness,dizziness,dry and red tongue,little coating,thread and rapid pulse);deficiency of spleen and kidney,dampness pathogen blockage(diarrhea,loose stool,eat less and abdominal nausea,abdominal pain,sallow complexion,nausea,vomiting,loss of hair,deafness and tinnitus,pale tongue with whitish coating,deep and thready pulse,slippery and rapid pulse);qi deficiency with blood stasis(weakness,spontaneous sweating,dry mouth without desire to drink,easy to catch a cold,shortness of breath,sallow complexion,eat less and loose stools,dim tongue quality,hesitant pulse).Conclusion:Based on the feature selection method,we can find the main characteristics of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome,and provide objective reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Investigation of perceived stigma among people living with human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immune deficiency syndrome in Henan Province, China

Purpose:To investigate the level of and factors influencing perceived stigma and discrimination among people living with human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome(PLWHA)in Henan Province.Methods:In total,161 PLWHA from Zhengzhou and Zhenping were investigated using the Berger HIV stigma scale.Results:The mean Berger stigma scale score was 105.70±15.20,indicating a middle stigma level.Among the four subscales of the Berger stigma scale,the disclosure concerns score was highest,while the negative self-image score was lowest.Multivariate analyses showed that factors influencing perceived HIV stigma included the level of education and route of infection.Conclusion:The level of perceived HIV stigma and discrimination among PLWHA in Henan Province is moderate and was affected by the level of education and route of infection.Special intervention should be established to address this problem.

上海市艾滋病防治工作现状及对策建议

艾滋病是我国重点控制的传染病之一。我国政府高度重视艾滋病防治工作,制定发布了系列政策文件,全面加强艾滋病防治工作,以推进联合国2030年终结艾滋病流行可持续发展目标的实现。上海市按照国家相关要求,结合本市特点和工作实际,制定了上海市艾滋病防治工作目标,全面落实艾滋病防治责任与任务,持续推进各项防控措施,取得了明显成效。分析近年来上海市艾滋病防治工作进展及现状,并提出下一步工作对策及建议。

The default mode network is affected in the early stage of simian immunodeficiency virus infection:a longitudinal study

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome infection can lead to cognitive dysfunction represented by changes in the default mode network.Most recent studies have been cross-sectional and thus have not revealed dynamic changes in the default mode network following acquired immune deficiency syndrome infection and antiretroviral therapy.Specifically,when brain imaging data at only one time point are analyzed,determining the duration at which the default mode network is the most effective following antiretroviral therapy after the occurrence of acquired immune deficiency syndrome.However,because infection times and other factors are often uncertain,longitudinal studies cannot be conducted directly in the clinic.Therefore,in this study,we performed a longitudinal study on the dynamic changes in the default mode network over time in a rhesus monkey model of simian immunodeficiency virus infection.We found marked changes in default mode network connectivity in 11 pairs of regions of interest at baseline and 10 days and 4 weeks after virus inoculation.Significant interactions between treatment and time were observed in the default mode network connectivity of regions of interest pairs area 31/V6.R and area 8/frontal eye field(FEF).L,area 8/FEF.L and caudal temporal parietal occipital area(TPOC).R,and area 31/V6.R and TPOC.L.ART administered 4 weeks after infection not only interrupted the progress of simian immunodeficiency virus infection but also preserved brain function to a large extent.These findings suggest that the default mode network is affected in the early stage of simian immunodeficiency virus infection and that it may serve as a potential biomarker for early changes in brain function and an objective indicator for making early clinical intervention decisions.

Activation-induced pyroptosis contributes to the loss of MAIT cells in chronic HIV-1 infected patients

Background: Mucosal-associated invariant T(MAIT) cells are systemically depleted in human immunodeficiency virus type 1(HIV-1) infected patients and are not replenished even after successful combined antiretroviral therapy(cART).This study aimed to identify the mechanism underlying MAIT cell depletion.Methods: In the present study, we applied flow cytometry, single-cell RNA sequencing and immunohistochemical staining to evaluate the characteristics of pyroptotic MAIT cells in a total of 127 HIV-1 infected individuals, including 69 treatment-naive patients, 28 complete responders, 15 immunological non-responders, and 15 elite controllers, at the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.Results: Single-cell transcriptomic profiles revealed that circulating MAIT cells from HIV-1 infected subjects were highly activated, with upregulation of pyroptosis-related genes. Further analysis revealed that increased frequencies of pyroptotic MAIT cells correlated with markers of systemic T-cell activation, microbial translocation, and intestinal damage in cART-naive patients and poor CD4+ T-cell recovery in long-term cART patients. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that MAIT cells in the gut mucosa of HIV-1 infected patients exhibited a strong active gasdermin-D(GSDMD, marker of pyroptosis) signal near the cavity side, suggesting that these MAIT cells underwent active pyroptosis in the colorectal mucosa. Increased levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-12(IL-12) and IL-18 were observed in HIV-1 infected patients. In addition, activated MAIT cells exhibited an increased pyroptotic phenotype after being triggered by HIV-1 virions, T-cell receptor signals, IL-12 plus IL-18, and combinations of these factors, in vitro.Conclusions: Activation-induced MAIT cell pyroptosis contributes to the loss of MAIT cells in HIV-1 infected patients,which could potentiate disease progression and poor immune reconstitution.

Vanishing bile duct syndrome in human immunodeficiency virus: Nevirapine hepatotoxicity revisited

Vanishing bile duct syndrome (VBDS) refers to a group of disorders characterized by prolonged cholestasis as a result of destruction and disappearance ofintrahepatic bile ducts. Multiple etiologies have been indentifi ed including infections, neoplastic disorders, autoimmune conditions and drugs. The natural history of this condition is variable and may involve resolution of cholestasis or progression with irreversible damage. VBDS is extremely rare in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients and anti-retroviral therapy has never been implicated as a cause. We encountered a young pregnant female with HIV and VBDS secondary to anti-retroviral therapy. Here, we report her clinical course and outcome.

The sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax as a marine model species in immunology:Insights from basic and applied research

This review summarizes the current knowledge on immune defence activities of the European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax by reporting the consistent amount of work done on this economically-important species.A draft genome sequence is available for this species,together with whole transcriptomes from lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues.Available full-length coding sequences of many immunoregulatory and immune-related genes allow for targeted quantitative PCR analysis,nowadays needed for-omics data verification,ex vivo and in vitro.The first anti-T cells monoclonal antibody teleost-wise was obtained in sea bass,followed by several monoclonal and polyclonal markers of lymphocyte populations,namely T cells(pan-T,CD3ε,TcRγ,CD45),and B cells(IgM,IgT,IgD).The combined use of molecular and biochemical tools enabled investigations on innate and acquired immune responses of sea bass in unstimulated/stimulated fish,along the development and under variable environmental conditions and food regimes.An overview of sea bass viral and bacterial pathogens and available vaccines against these microorganisms is also provided.The knowledge accumulated in the past 25 years validates the European sea bass as a reference marine model in the field of fish immunology.

Unified-Planning,Graded-Administration,and Centralized-Controlling:A Management Modality for Treating Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome with Chinese Medicine in Henan Province of China

Henan Province in China has a major epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome （HIV/AIDS）. Chinese medicine （CM） has been used throughout the last decade, and a management modality was developed, which can be described by unified-planning, graded- administration, and centralized-controlling （UGC）. The UGC modality has one primary concept （patient-centered medicine from CM theory）, four basic foundations （classifying administrative region, characteristics of CM on disease treatment, health resource conditions, and distribution of patients living with HIV）, six important relationships （the ＂three uniformities and three combinations,＂ and the six relationships therein guide the treatment of AIDS with CM）, and four key sections （management, operation, records, and evaluation）. In this article, the authors introduce the UGC modality, which could be beneficial to developing countries or resource-limited areas for the management of chronic infectious disease.

Meeting Minutes of International Conference on Prevention and Treatment of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome with Chinese Medicine

The International Conference on Prevention and Treatment of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome （AIDS） with Chinese Medicine （CM） was held in Beijing International Hotel from October 16 to 17, 2010. It was cosponsored by Guang＇anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences （CACMS）, and the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Chinese Herbal Medicine for the Treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome-Associated Diarrhea: A Protocol for the Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Diarrhea can occur at an early or advanced stage of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(AIDS)as a usual symptom in people with human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)infection.While it is usually not fatal,it can influence patients’quality of life seriously.It has shown to be efficacious and improves people’s immune status to a certain extent to treat HIV/AIDS-related diarrhea on the basis of syndrome differentiation and treatment or Chinese herbs plus conventional treatment.Therefore,it may have a good application potential.Here,we outline a protocol for the systematic review of this health-care intervention,with the aim to evaluate the beneficial effects and safety of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)for patients who suffer from HIV/AIDS-associated diarrhea.Randomized controlled trials that compare Chinese herbs with placebo or other effective treatments will be searched and included,in spite of publication status or language.The primary outcomes include diarrhea frequency and fecal character.The databases we will search as follows:China Science and Technology Journal Database(VIP),Chinese Biomedical Literature Database(Sino Med),Wanfang Data,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,Pub Med and the CENTRAL in Cochrane Library.Two authors will respectively conduct the screening of trials,data extraction,and use the Cochrane risk of bias tool to assess the methodological quality.We will analyze the data and perform a meta-analysis if possible.We intend to identify potential therapeutic modalities that may be of benefit to inform clinical practice by supplying existing evidence of the helpful effects and safety of TCM to treat patients suffering from HIV/AIDS-associated diarrhea.

Immune Reconstitution of Acquired Immune Deficiency syndrome

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome （AIDS） is a chronic infectious disease,which the patients are infected with human immunodeficiency virus （HIV）.HIV damages the human＇s immune function and causes CD4 cell decline in the number and function.Immune reconstitution is an important treatment to AIDS.Bone marrow transplantation,adoptive immune cell therapy and cytokines infusion can all assist the immune reconstitution;highly active antiretroviral therapy （HAART） can effectively control the virus replication and benefit the immune reconstitution.HAART combined with immunotherapy is an important method of immune reconstitution in AIDS patients.Chinese medicine is playing a more and more important role in immune reconstitution.Immune reconstitution has always been effective in the whole treatment of AIDS.

From a Deadly Disease to a Manageable Chronic Disease,HIV/AIDS Remains a Challenge for Mankind

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome(AIDS)is caused by human immunodeficiency virus(HIV),which was found by French scientists 40 years ago,12 years after AIDS was firstly reported by US scientists.2 TheHIV/AIDS pandemic has spread to every country of theworldwith over 84 million infections and more than 40 million deaths since the start of the epidemic.3 According to Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS(UNAIDS),there are 38.4 million people living with HIV/AIDS(PLWHA)in 2021.4 In order to realize the Ending AIDS Plan by 2030,the UNAIDS made the intermediate target of less than 500,000 new HIV infections and 500,000 AIDS-related deaths in 2020.5 In the 2021 United Nations(UN)75th General Assembly,the General Secretary reported that the 2020 target of Ending AIDS Plan was not reached,6 with 1.7 million HIV infections and 690,000 AIDS-related deaths in 2019.7 In order to bring the Ending AIDS Plan back on track,UNAIDS setup a higher goal of“95-95-95,”meaning the percentage for all PLWHA who know their HIV status.

HIV/AIDS epidemic and the development of comprehensive surveillance system in China with challenges

AIDS is the most severe infectious disease that has appeared in the second half of the 20th century.Since the United States Center of Disease Control ＆ Prevention （US CDC） reported the first case of HIV carrier in the men who had sex with men （MSM）population in 1981, HIV/AIDS had spread globally. By the end of December 2008, UNAIDS and WHO estimated that there were 3340 million （3110-3580 million）infected with HIV/AIDS worldwide.1 While the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Asia began later than the epidemic in Europe, America and Africa, experts predict that countries in Asia, especially in three countries, China,India and Indonesia, which have a population of more than 100 million, will have the world＇s largest number of HIV/AIDS in the near future.

New policies and strategies to tackle HIV/AIDS in China

Over the past decade, China has made remarkable progress in promoting universal access to HIV prevention, treatment and care and support. As a result, overall AIDS mortality among treatment eligible patients dropped 63.9% between 2002 and 2009. However, many key challenges remain in the early identification of HIV-positive individuals and timely provision of antiretroviral treatment （ART）. To address these challenges, the Chinese government has taken steps to translate the latest scientific research findings into its newly issued national AIDS policy and strategy. China＇s recent adoption of ＂Treatment as Prevention＂ to reduce HIV incidence and HIV/AIDS related morbidity and mortality is intended to held achieve the United Nations Millennium Develooment Goals by 2015.

Initial study of magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging in brain white matter of early AIDS patients

Background HIV is a neurotropic virus which can cause brain white matter demyelination, gliosis, and other pathological changes that appear as HIV encephalitis or AIDS dementia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the change of the diffused condition of water molecules in brain white matter in early acquired immune deficiency syndrome （AIDS） patients using MR diffusion tensor imaging （DTI）. Methods DTI examinations were performed on a Siemens 3.0T MR scanner in 23 AIDS patients with normal brain appearance by conventional MRI and 20 healthy volunteers as the control group. Fractional anisotropy （FA） and apparent diffusion coefficient （ADC） values were measured in nine regions; corpus callosum （CC） knee, CC body, CC splenium, periventricular white matter, frontal lobe white matter, parietal lobe white matter, occipital lobe white matter, and the anterior and posterior limbs of the internal capsule. The mean FA and ADC values from each region were compared in three groups： the symptomatic, asymptomatic and the control. Results The mean FA values were significantly lower and the mean ADC values were significantly higher in all nine regions in patients in the symptomatic group than in the asymptomatic and control group patients. In the asymptomatic group, the mean FA values were significantly lower and the mean ADC values were significantly higher at the CC knee, CC body, CC splenium, periventricular white matter, frontal lobe white matter and parietal lobe white matter, than in the control group. There were no significant differences at other regions between the two groups. Conclusions The diffused changes of water molecules in brain white matter in AIDS patients are related to brain white matter regions. DTI examination can detect the brain white matter lesions early in AIDS patients.

Genetic diversity analysis of Penicillium marneffei isolated from AIDS patients in Guangdong, China using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA

Background Penicillium mameffei （P. marneffe~） is an emerging pathogenic fungus that can cause invasive mycosis in patients with AIDS. The epidemiological features of P. marneffeiinfection in AIDS patients in Guangdong province remain unclear so far. This study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity within a population of 163 P. mameffei isolates obtained from AIDS patients and search for the dominant clinical strains in Guanqdong province.

Partial recovery of disturbed V-J pairing profiles of T-cell receptor in people living with HIV receiving long-term antiretroviral therapy

Chronic human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) infection not only causes a gradual loss of CD4~+T cells but also leads to a disturbance of the T cell receptor(TCR) repertoire. In people living with HIV(PLWH), monitoring TCR repertoire is challenged by the inconsistency of complementarity determining region 3(CDR3) and limited cell numbers in clinical samples. Thus, a quantitative method is necessary for monitoring the TCR repertoire in PLWH.We characterized the TCR V-J pairing profile of na?ve and memory CD4~+T cells in healthy donors, HIV-infected antiretroviral therapy(ART)-na?ve patients and long-term(over5 years) ART-experienced patients by performing TCR sequencing. We developed a V-J index with 18 parameters which were subdivided into five categories(expression coverage, cumulative percentage of the top tenth percentile, diversity, intra-individual similarity and inter-individual similarity). In ART-na?ve patients, 14 of the 18 parameters were significantly altered.Long-term ART recovered ten parameters. The four unrecovered parameters were related to inter-individual similarity.Therefore, these findings indicate that long-term ART could only partially recover TCR V-J pairs and introduce newly impacted V-J pairs. Moreover, these results provide new insights into the V-J pairing of the TCR and into the disturbance of TCR repertoire in HIV infection.