HIV-1整合酶基因序列分析方法验证

目的 验证实验室自建人类免疫缺陷病毒1型(HIV-1)整合酶基因序列分析方法。该方法可用于评估HIV-1整合酶区段基因型耐药水平。方法 根据世界卫生组织自建基因序列分析方法验证的建议,从20份HIV-1阳性样本中提取RNA,扩增HIV-1整合酶区基因片段,并测序。通过与病毒质量保证(VQA)共识进行比对,评估实验室自建的HIV-1整合酶基因序列分析方案的准确性,通过扩增成功率评估其灵敏度,通过同一样本的重复检测结果评估其精密度和重现性。结果 20份样本与VQA共识的核苷酸一致率均>98%;10个高病毒载量(>10 000拷贝·mL^(-1))样本和5个低病毒载量(1 000~5 000拷贝·mL^(-1))样本的扩增成功率均为100%;4个样本的同批次5复孔和5个样本5次检测的结果均符合90%的样本配对比较核苷酸一致率>98%的要求。结论 该HIV-1整合酶基因序列分析方法的准确性、灵敏度、精密度和重现性均符合要求,适用于HIV-1整合酶基因序列分析。

Three amino acid residues in the envelope of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 CRF07_BC regulate viral neutralization susceptibility to the human monoclonal neutralizing antibody IgG1b12

The CD4 binding site(CD4bs) of envelope glycoprotein(Env) is an important conserved target for anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1(HIV-1) neutralizing antibodies. Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies IgG1 b12(b12) could recognize conformational epitopes that overlap the CD4 bs of Env. Different virus strains, even derived from the same individual, showed distinct neutralization susceptibility to b12. We examined the key amino acid residues affecting b12 neutralization susceptibility using single genome amplification and pseudovirus neutralization assay. Eleven amino acid residues were identified that affect the sensitivity of Env to b12. Through site-directed mutagenesis, an amino acid substitution at position 182 in the V2 region of Env was confirmed to play a key role in regulating the b12 neutralization susceptibility. The introduction of V182 L to a resistant strain enhanced its sensitivity to b12 more than twofold. Correspondingly, the introduction of L182 V to a sensitive strain reduced its sensitivity to b12 more than tenfold. Amino acid substitution at positions 267 and 346 could both enhance the sensitivity to b12 more than twofold. However, no additive effect was observed when the three site mutageneses were introduced into the same strain, and the sensitivity was equivalent to the single V182 L mutation. CRF07_BC is a major circulating recombinant form of HIV-1 prevalent in China. Our data may provide important information for understanding the molecular mechanism regulating the neutralization susceptibility of CRF07_BC viruses to b12 and may be helpful for a vaccine design targeting the CD4 bs epitopes.

Cost and safety of assisted reproductive technologies for human immunodeficiency virus-1 discordant couples

Due to significant advances in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type-1(HIV-1), HIV-1 infection gradually has become a treatable chronic disease. Successfully treated HIV-positive individuals can have a normal life expectancy. Hence, more and more HIV-1 discordant couples in Taiwan and the rest of the world are seeking fertility assistance. Pre-treatment of highly active antiretroviral therapy(HAART) combined with sperm washing and RT-polymerase chain reaction examination for HIV-1 viral load has become the standard procedure to assist them to conceive. However,in order to reduce the transmission risk to the lowest level for the couple and to diminish the cost of health care for the insurance institutes or government, in vitro fertilization(IVF)-intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI) therapy provides the ideal solution for HIV-1 discordant couples with infected men. Intrauterine insemination(IUI) theoretically introduces more than 107 times of sperm counts or semen volume to uninfected women vs IVF-ICSI. However, since some regimens of HAART may significantly decrease the sperm motility, compared to IVF-ICSI, IUI only produces 1/5 to 1/2 pregnancy rates per cycle. Given the risk of seroconversion of HIV infection which actually happens after successful treatment, IVF-ICSI for these HIV-1 seropositive men is more cost-effective and should be the first line treatment for these cases.

Construction and expression of an optimized, novel human immunodeficiency virus type-1 lentiviral vector containing green fluorescent protein

The human immunodeficiency virus （HIV） lentiviral vector is an ideal vector for gene therapy. In the present study, the wild-type HIV-1 genome was segregated into four plasmids, and an optimized novel HIV-1 lentiviral vector containing green fluorescent protein and vesicular stomatitis virus G pseudo-capsule was constructed. The plasmids were pHR-CMV-EGFP, pCMVΔ8.9, pRSV-Rev, pCMV-VSV-G. The four plasmid system was co-transfected into 293T cells, and green fluorescent protein expression was observed. The present study obtained lentiviral particles by high-speed centrifugation, and the lentiviral particle titer was 4 × 108 TU/mL after centrifugation. Thus, an optimized novel HIV-1 lentiviral vector was successfully constructed.

INTRACELLULAR EXPRESSION OF MULTIMERIZED ANTISENSE TAR-CORE RNAS INHIBIT THE REPLICATION OF HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS TYPE 1 IN HUMAN CD_4+T LYMPHOCYTES

Gene therapy is one of several approaches that are being tested in the search for an effective anti HIV treatment. In this strategy, a “resistant” gene would be introduced into target cells, rendering them resistance to the infection of HIV. The HIV 1 Tat protein transactivate HIV 1 gene expression at the transcriptional level by interacting with its response element(TAR) in the long terminal repeat(LTR). Previously, we have shown that antisense polyTAR Core RNAs can inhibit the transactivation of HIV 1 Tat protein in transiently transfected Jurkat cells. To determine whether this antisense polyTAR Core RNAs could inhibit HIV 1 replication in CD 4+ T cells, we transfected the antisense polyTAR Core gene to MT4 cells and challenged them with HIV 1 SF33 strain. Levels of HIV 1 p24gag antigen were reduced more than 4 fold in cultures of the transduced MT4/LR cells infected with HIV 1SF33 strain. In contrast, cultures of nontransduced MT4 cells and control LX vector transduced MT4/LX cells infected with the same viruses had high levels of HIV 1 p24gag. Our work showed that antisense polyTAR Core RNAs were able to inhibit HIV 1 replication in CD 4+ T cells, and could be used as resistance gene in further studying for gene therapy against HIV 1.

Improvement in human immunodeficiency virus-1/acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients' well-being following administration of “Phyto V7”

AIM:To corroborate the capacity of Phyto V7,a complex of phytochemicals,to improve the physical well-being of human immunodeficiency virus-1(HIV-1) infected and acquired immune deficiency syndrome(AIDS) patients not undergoing antiretroviral treatment.METHODS:Two hundred and thirty nine HIV-1 seropositive male and female voluntary inmates were recruited through the Uruguay National Program of AIDS.The study participants received for 90 consecutive days every eight hours two tablets(760 mg/each) of Phyto V7,containing a mix of the following phytochemicals:flavonols(Kaempferol,Quercetin),flavones(Apigenin,Luteolin),hydroxycinnamic acids(ferrulic acid),carotenoids(Lutein,Lycopene,Beta carotene) and organosulfur compounds,all from vegetal origin.The participants did not receive any antiretroviral treatment during the study.At days 0,30,60 and 90(± 2 d) the participants were evaluated for body mass index(BMI),tolerance to Phyto V7 and Index of Quality of Life based on the Karfnosky scale.ANOVA,Tukey Post-test,χ2 test and Wilcoxon Signed Rank test were used to analyze the effect of treatment.RESULTS:One hundred and nighty nine study participants finished the study.Already after 30 d of Phyto V7 consumption,the weight,BMI and Karnofsky score statistically significantly improved(P < 0.001),and continued to improve until the end of the study.The mean weight gain per participant during the 90 d wasof 1.21 kg(approximately 2% of body weight).The overall increase in the mean Karnofsky score after 90 d was 14.08%.The lower the BMI and Karnofsky score of the participants were at the beginning of the study,the more notorious was the improvement over time.For example,the mean increment of Index of Quality of Life,among the participants with an initial Karnofsky score of 5 or below(n = 33) from day 0 to day 90,was of 35.67%(0.476 ± 0.044 vs 0.645 ± 0.09; P < 0.001).The tolerability to Phyto V7 was very good and no adverse reactions were recorded or reported.CONCLUSION:Administration of the Phyto V7 can be an important tool to improve the well-being of HIV-1 seropositive individuals and AIDS patients,not undergoing antiretroviral treatment.

The in vitro inhibitory effect of human neutrophil peptide-1 on human immunodeficiency virus type 1

In order to clarify, the mechanism of inhibition of human neutrophil peptide-1 （ HNP-1 ） on hu- man immunodeficiency vires type 1 （HIV-1 ）, CD4^ ＋ cells were used as the target cells for acute infection with HIV-1, and experiments were peffomed separately with the interaction of different concentrations of HNP-1 with free vires particles, un-infected and infected CD4^＋ cells. The activity of reverse transcriptase （RT） in the supematant of cell cultures of different lots of experiments were then assayed accordingly, and the toxicity effect on human lymphocytic cells MT4 was measured by MTT assay. The experimental results showed that pre-incubation of HNP-1 with the concentrated stock of vires could block the binding of vires to target cells with EC50 of 2.49 μg/ml, while pre-treatment of CD4^＋ cells with HNP- 1 prior to inoculation could reduce the ability of cells to bind vires with EC50 of 20.7 μg/ml. In addition, When culturing the infected CD4^＋ cells in the continuous presence of various concentrations of HNP-1 added immediately after infection, HNP-1 exhibited modest inhibitory effect on viral replication with reduced RT activities in comparison with those of the control group （ P 〈 0.05 at 100 μg/ml of the highest concentration） . No cytotoxieity effect of HNP-1 was observed as demonstrated by MTT assay. These results indicate that HNP-1 exerts anti-HIV activity by at least two levels： direct inactivation of vires particles and effect on the ability of target cells to bind with viruses. The evaluation of two parameters, inhibitoty effect and the cytotoxicity renders HNP-1 an available candidate for anti-HIV therapeutic agent.

坏死性凋亡与HIV-1感染的研究进展

由于人类免疫缺陷病毒1型(HIV-1)在细胞中形成潜伏感染,且HIV-1潜伏感染机制尚不明确,导致当前抗逆转录病毒治疗无法根除感染者体内的HIV-1。坏死性凋亡作为一种受调控的细胞死亡形式,可在HIV-1感染的多种免疫细胞中发生,同时HIV-1可通过抑制细胞内坏死相关信号通路逃避细胞死亡的宿命,有利于为病毒潜伏库的形成。此外,坏死性凋亡主要发生在HIV-1感染的细胞中,不会造成近旁未感染细胞的损伤,可能成为靶向清除HIV潜伏库的潜在靶点。本文围绕坏死性凋亡在HIV-1感染细胞中的发生情况和相关机制进行综述,以期为后续开展HIV-1潜伏感染相关机制研究提供参考。

广西崇左市扶绥县HIV-1分子传播网络特征分析

目的:分析广西崇左市扶绥县艾滋病病毒(HIV)感染者的分子传播网络特征,并确定造成分子网络聚簇传播和高风险传播的危险因素。方法:采集崇左市扶绥县2005—2021年确诊的HIV/艾滋病(AIDS)患者血样。通过扩增HIV-1 pol区序列比对分析,构建分子传播网络。运用二元logistic回归分析入网和高危传播的影响因素。结果:本研究共获得扶绥县349条HIV-1 pol区序列,6种亚型,分别为CRF01_AE亚型(49.86%)、CRF07_BC亚型(32.38%)、CRF08_BC亚型(14.33%)、CRF55_01B亚型(1.14%)、C亚型(0.29%)、独特重组型(URF)(2.00%)。192条(55.01%)序列进入分子传播网络,形成31个簇、192个节点和736条边。年龄>50岁(a OR=1.861,95%CI:1.009~3.433)、感染CRF07_BC亚型毒株(a OR=4.386,95%CI:2.533~7.594)、文化程度为小学及以下(a OR=1.709,95%CI:1.070~2.729)、有非婚商业异性性接触史(a OR=1.682,95%CI:1.027~2.753),配偶或固定性伴阳性(a OR=2.428,95%CI:1.181~4.995)的患者更容易进入传播网络聚簇传播。年龄>50岁(a OR=1.861,95%CI:1.009~3.433),感染CRF07_BC亚型(a OR=4.386,95%CI:2.533~7.594),文化程度为小学及以下(a OR=1.699,95%CI:1.004~2.874)的患者更容易成为传播网络中的高连接者。结论:广西崇左市扶绥县AIDS传播的关键人群是年龄>50岁且文化程度为小学及以下的中老年人群,应针对重点人群的在分子网络中的传播聚簇特点进行溯源调查,并实施精准干预,减少二代传播。

水芹总酚酸体外抗HIV-1的作用

目的探讨水芹总酚酸体外抑制人类免疫缺陷病毒1型的作用。方法用不同稀释度的水芹总酚酸与TZM-bl细胞共同培养,使用MTT法检测活细胞的数量,观察水芹总酚酸对TZM-bl细胞的毒性作用;用人类免疫缺陷病毒1型实验室适应株SF33、BAL分别感染TZM-bl细胞,基于TZM-bl细胞的荧光素酶检测体系,采用荧光素酶活性检测方法检测水芹总酚酸抗人类免疫缺陷病毒1型的活性。结果水芹总酚酸对TZM-bl细胞表现出较低的细胞毒性,半数细胞毒浓度>1600μg·ml^(-1)。水芹总酚酸对TZM-bl细胞HIV-1 SF33、HIV-1 BAL病毒的半抑制浓度平均值分别为38.93和24.25μg·ml^(-1),治疗指数分别为>41和>66。结论水芹总酚酸在体外具有抑制人类免疫缺陷病毒1型复制活性的作用。

SerpinE1通过JAK/STAT通路调节HIV-1在巨噬细胞中的复制

目的:探讨丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂E家族成员1(SerpinE1)与人类免疫缺陷病毒1型(HIV-1)感染的关系,及其作为一种蛋白酶抑制剂在巨噬细胞中对HIV感染过程发挥的作用和机制。方法:按年龄、性别特征成组匹配,招募HIV感染未治疗人群[HIV ART(-)组]和健康对照人群(HC组),并检测外周血单个核细胞(PBMCs)中SerpinE1 mRNA表达量。在THP-1细胞中构建SerpinE1敲低细胞(敲低SerpinE1组),感染或不感染HIV BaL。酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法检测HIV-p24和干扰素(IFN)-α蛋白水平,有参转录组测序分析染毒后敲低SerpinE1组与对照组的差异基因和KEGG富集通路,实时荧光定量PCR(RT-qPCR)法检测HIV-1 Gag、Toll样受体7(TLR7)、Toll样受体8(TLR8)、白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、MX动力蛋白样GTPase 1(MX1)、MX动力蛋白样GTPase 2(MX2)mRNA相对表达量,western blotting法检测JAK2、STAT1、STAT2、SATA4、IL-1β和MX1蛋白表达水平。结果:与HC组比较,HIV ART(-)组SerpinE1表达水平降低,并且在THP-1来源的巨噬细胞中能够被HIV诱导下调(P<0.05);敲低SerpinE1表达下调HIV-p24蛋白表达和HIV Gag mRN A表达,促进IFN-α蛋白分泌水平,促进TLR7、TLR8、Janus激酶2(JAK2)、信号转导子和转录激活子(STAT)蛋白家族的STAT1、STAT2、SATA4及IL-1β、MX1、MX2的表达(P<0.05)。结论:SerpinE1可能通过抑制TLR7和TLR8信号通路的激活,减少IFN-α的释放,进而抑制JAK/STAT通路及其诱导的多种IFN刺激基因和IFN相关因子表达,从而促进了HIV-1的感染复制。

Human leukocyte antigen class II DQB1*0301, DRB1*1101 alleles and spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus infection: A meta-analysis

AIM： To assess the associations of human leukocyte antigen （HI_A） class Ⅱ DQB1＊0301 and/or DRB1＊1101 allele with spontaneous hepatitis C virus （HCV） clearance by meta-analysis of individual dataset from all studies published till date. METHODS： To clarify the impact of HLA class Ⅱ polymorphisms on viral clearance, we performed a metaanalysis of the published data from 11 studies comparing the frequencies of DQB1＊0301 and DRB1＊1101 alleles in individuals with spontaneous resolution to those with persistent infection. As we identified the heterogeneity between studies, summary statistical data were calculated based on a random-effect model. RESULTS： Meta-analyses yielded summary estimatesodds ratio （OR） of 2.36 [95%CI （1.62, 3.43）, P〈0.00001] and 2.02 [95%CI （1.56, 2.62）, P〈0.00001] for the effects of DQB1＊0301 and DRB1＊1101 alleles on spontaneous clearance of HCV, respectively. CONCLUSION： These results support the hypothesis that specific HLA class Ⅱ alleles might influence the susceptibility or resistance to persistent HCV infection. Both DQB1＊0301 and DRB1＊1101 are protective alleles and present HCV epitopes more effectively to CD4^＋T lymphocytes than others, and subjects with these two alleles are at a lower risk of developing chronic HCV infection. Large, multi-ethnic confirmatory and welldesigned studies are needed to determine the host genetic determinants of HCV infection.

Contributions of neurotropic human herpesviruses herpes simplex virus 1 and human herpesvirus 6 to neurodegenerative disease pathology

Human herpesviruses （HVs） have developed ingenious mechanisms that enable them to traverse the defenses of the central nervous system （CNS）. The ability of HVs to enter a state of latency, a defining char- acteristic of this viral family, allows them to persist in the human host indefinitely. As such, HVs represent the most frequently detected pathogens in the brain. Under constant immune pressure, these infections are largely asymptomatic in healthy hosts. However, many neurotropic HVs have been directly connected with CNS pathology in the context of other stressors and genetic risk factors. In this review, we discuss the potential mechanisms by which neurotropic HVs contribute to neurodegenerative disease （NDD） patholo- gy by highlighting two prominent members of the HV family, herpes simplex virus 1 （HSV-1） and human herpesvirus 6 （HHV-6）. We （i） introduce the infectious pathways and replicative cycles of HSV-1 and HHV-6 and then （ii） review the clinical evidence supporting associations between these viruses and the NDDs Alzheimer＇s disease （AD） and multiple sclerosis （MS）, respectively. We then （iii） highlight and dis- cuss potential mechanisms by which these viruses exert negative effects on neurons and glia. Finally, we （iv） discuss how these viruses could interact with other disease-modifying factors to contribute to the initiation and/or progression of NDDs.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CYCLIN G1 AND HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS INFECTION IN CERVICAL INTRAEPITHELIAL NEOPLASIA AND CERVICAL CARCINOMA

Objective To evaluate the overexpression of cyclin G1 in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia （CIN） and cervical carcinoma, and the correlation between cyclin G1 and high-risk human papilloma virus （HPV） infection. Methods All of the specimens were obtained from the Department of Pathology of China-Japan Friendship Hospital from January 2000 to August 2004. We detected the expression of cyclin G1 with immunohistochemistry, HPV16/18 infection with in situ hybridization, and high-risk HPV infection with Hybrid capture system Ⅱ （HC-Ⅱ） in normal group （25 cases）, CIN Ⅰ （48 cases）, CIN Ⅱ （56 cases）, CIN Ⅲ（54 cases）, and invasive cervical squamous-cell carcinoma （SCC, 31 cases）. Results The positive rates of cyclin G1 expression in CIN（77.85% ）and SCC cervical tissues （87. 10% ） were significantly higher than normal （ 8.00%, P 〈 0. 01 ）, and the intensities of cyclin G1 expression in CIN（40. 60% ） and SCC cervical tissues （61.51%） were significantly higher than normal （2. 72%, P 〈0.05）. The positive rates and intensities of cyclin G1 expression increased gradually with the grade of cervical lesions. High-risk HPV infection rates were higher in CIN and SCC than normal groups （P 〈 0.05 ）. There was a positive correlation between cyclin G1 expression and high-risk HPV infection detected with HC-Ⅱ （Kendall＇s tau-b =0. 316, 0. 269, 0. 352, and 0. 474 in CIN Ⅰ, CIN Ⅱ, CIN Ⅲ, and SCC, respectively, P 〈 0. 05 ）. Conclusions Cyclin G1 is overexpressed in CIN and SCC. Cyclin G1 may be a biomarker for detecting CIN and SCC. Cyclin G1 may play an important role in the oncogenesis of CIN and SCC by high-risk HPV infection.

Immunogenicity of DNA and Recombinant Sendai Virus Vaccines Expressing the HIV-1 gag Gene

Combinations of DNA and recombinant-viral-vector based vaccines are promising AIDS vaccine methods because of their potential for inducing cellular immune responses. It was found that Gag-specific cytotoxic lymphocyte (CTL) responses were associated with lowering viremia in an untreated HIV-1 infected cohort. The main objectives of our studies were the construction of DNA and recombinant Sendai virus vector (rSeV) vaccines containing a gag gene from the prevalent Thailand subtype B strain in China and trying to use these vaccines for therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines. The candidate plasmid DNA vaccine pcDNA3.1(+)-gag and recombinant Sendai virus vaccine (rSeV-gag) were constructed separately. It was verified by Western blotting analysis that both DNA and rSeV-gag vaccines expressed the HIV-1 Gag protein correctly and efficiently. Balb/c mice were immunized with these two vaccines in different administration schemes. HIV-1 Gag-specific CTL responses and antibody levels were detected by intracellular cytokine staining assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) respectively. Combined vaccines in a DNA prime/rSeV-gag boost vaccination regimen induced the strongest and most long-lasting Gag-specific CTL and antibody responses. It maintained relatively high levels even 9 weeks post immunization. This data indicated that the prime-boost regimen with DNA and rSeV-gag vaccines may offer promising HIV vaccine regimens.

African origins and chronic kidney disease susceptibility in the human immunodeficiency virus era

Chronic kidney disease （CKD） is a major public health problem worldwide with the estimated incidence growing by approximately 6% annually. There are striking ethnic differences in the prevalence of CKD such that, in the United States, African Americans have the highest prevalence of CKD, four times the incidence of end stage renal disease when compared to Americans of European ancestry suggestive of genetic predisposition. Diabetes mellitus, hypertension and human immunodeficiency virus （HIV） infection are the major causes of CKD. HIV-associated nephropathy （HIVAN） is an irreversible form of CKD with considerable morbidity and mortality and is present predominantly in people of African ancestry. The APOL1 G1 and G2 alleles were more strongly associated with the risk for CKD than the previously examined MYH9 E1risk haplotype in individuals of African ancestry. A strong association was reported in HIVAN, suggesting that 50% of African Americans with two APOL1 risk alleles, if untreated, would develop HIVAN. However these two variants are not enough to cause disease. The prevailing belief is that modifying factors or second hits （including genetic hits） underlie the pathogenesis of kidney disease. This work reviews the history of genetic susceptibility of CKD and outlines current theories regarding the role for APOL1 in CKD in the HIV era.

Integrated analysis of human influenza A(H1N1)virus infectionrelated genes to construct a suitable diagnostic model

The genome characteristics and structural functions of coding proteins correlate with the genetic diversity of the H1N1 virus,which aids in the understanding of its underlying pathogenic mechanism.In this study,analyses of the characteristic of the H1N1 virus infection-related genes,their biological functions,and infection-related reversal drugs were performed.Additionally,we used multi-dimensional bioinformatics analysis to identify the key genes and then used these to construct a diagnostic model for the H1N1 virus infection.There was a total of 169 differently expressed genes in the samples between 21 h before infection and 77 h after infection.They were used during the protein-protein interaction(PPI)analysis,and we obtained a total of 1725 interacting genes.Then,we performed a weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA)on these genes,and we identified three modules that showed significant potential for the diagnosis of the H1N1 virus infection.These modules contained 60 genes,and they were used to construct this diagnostic model,which showed an effective prediction value.Besides,these 60 genes were involved in the biological functions of this infectious virus,like the cellular response to type I interferon and in the negative regulation of the viral life cycle.However,20 genes showed an upregulated expression as the infection progressed.Other 36 upregulated genes were used to examine the relationship between genes,human influenza A virus,and infection-related reversal drugs.This study revealed numerous important reversal drug molecules on the H1N1 virus.They included rimantadine,interferons,and shikimic acid.Our study provided a novel method to analyze the characteristic of different genes and explore their corresponding biological function during the infection caused by the H1N1 virus.This diagnostic model,which comprises 60 genes,shows that a significant predictive value can be the potential biomarker for the diagnosis of the H1N1 virus infection.

Study of human B7 homolog 1 expression in patients with hepatitis B virus infection

AIM: To further investigate the role of human B7 homolog 1 (B7-H1) in the mechanism of persistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. METHODS: Peripheral and intra-hepatic B7-H1 expression were compared by flow cytometry and immunochemical staining between two 2 distinct groups, one being chronic HBV tolerance patients (CHB-T) and the other being acute hepatitis B patients (AHB). B7-H1 mRNA expression level was also compared by real time polymerase chain reaction between CHB-T and AHB patients. The location of intra-hepatic B7-H1 and CD40 expression were analyzed by immunofluorescence. The levels of B7-H1 and CD40 expression on cultured myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) with or without hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) treatment were analyzed dynamically by flow cytometry. Intracellular interferon-γ (IFN-γ) staining and the stimulatory capacity of mDC of cultured mDC with or without HBsAg treatment were also compared by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Peripheral B7-H1 expression on mDCs was increased significantly in AHB compared to CHB-T patients (P < 0.05). In the liver tissues from CHB-T patients, B7-H1 positive cells were almost absent despite a persistently elevated serum HBsAg load. In contrast, there were indeed increased B7-H1-positive cells in situ in the liver tissue from AHB. In vitro analysis showed the parallel upregulation of B7-H1 and CD40 on CD11c+ mDCs after the onset of stimulation. Addition of recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen (rHBsAg) significantly decreased CD40 expression (P < 0.05 at 16 h, 20 h and 24 h time points). B7-H1 expression was also inhibited by rHBsAg, and the inhibition rate of CD40 was greater than that of B7-H1. This preferential inhibition of CD40 expression on mDCs by rHBsAg resulted in the dysfunction of mDCs and T cells in the mixed leucocyte reaction (MLR) system. With rHBsAg pretreatment, in a carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) labeled MLR system at a ratio of 1:5 responder cell-stimulator cell (R/S), the CFSE dim percentage of T cells decreased from 85.1% to 25.4% and decreased from 30.3% to 12.0% at 1:10 R/S. IFN-γ production by CD8+ T cells, in the MLR system, was reduced significantly by HBsAg pretreatment. At ratios of 1:5 R/S, the percentage of IFN-γ and CD8 dual positive T cells decreased from 55.2% ± 5.3% to 15.1% ±3.1% (P < 0.001), and decreased from 35.0% ± 5.1% to 7.3% ± 2.7% at ratios of 1:10 R/S (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: B7-H1 is not a signature of immune dysfunction, but an inflammation marker. HBsAg regulate immune response by tipping the balance between B7-H1 and CD40.

Hepatitis C virus/human T lymphotropic virus 1/2 coinfection:Regional burden and virological outcomes in people who inject drugs

This review analyses current data concerning co-infection with hepatitis C virus(HCV) and human T lymphotropic virus(HTLV)-1/2 in people who inject drugs(PWID), with a particular focus on disease burden and global implications for virological outcome. In addition, the available treatment options for HTLV-1/2 are summarized and the on-going and likely future research challenges are discussed. The data in this review was obtained from 34 articles on HCV/HTLV-1/2 co-infection in PWID retrieved from the Pub Med literature database and published between 1997 and 2015. Despite unavailable estimates of the burden of HCV/HTLV-1/2 co-infection in general, the epidemiologic constellation of HTLV-1/2 shows high incidence in PWID with history of migration, incarceration, and other blood-borne infectious diseases such as HCV or human immunodeficiency virus. The most recent research data strongly suggest that HTLV-1 co-infection can influence HCV viral load, HCV sustained virological response to α-interferon treatment, and HCV-related liver disease progression. In short, outcome of HCV infection is worse in the context of HTLV-1 co-infection, yet more studies are needed to gain accurate estimations of the burden of HCV/HTLV-1/2 co-infections. Moreover, in the current era of new direct-acting antiviral treatments for HCV and proven HTLV-1/2 treatment options, prospective clinical and treatment studies should be carried out, with particular focus on the PWID patient population, with the aim of improving virological outcomes.

Impact of antiretroviral therapy on lipid metabolism of human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients: Old and new drugs

For human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-infected patients, the 1990s were marked by the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy(HAART) representing a new perspective of life for these patients. The use of HAART was shown to effectively suppress the replication of HIV-1 and dramatically reduce mortality and morbidity, which led to a better and longer quality of life for HIV-1-infected patients. Apart from the substantial benefits that result from the use of various HAART regimens, laboratory and clinical experience has shown that HAART can induce severe and considerable adverse effects related to metabolic complications of lipid metabolism, characterized by signs of lipodystrophy, insulin resistance, central adiposity, dyslipidemia, increased risk of cardiovascular disease and even an increased risk of atherosclerosis. New drugs are being studied, new therapeutic strategies are being implemented, and the use of statins, fibrates, and inhibitors of intestinal cholesterol absorption have been effective alternatives. Changes in diet and lifestyle have also shown satisfactory results.