Improvement of interleukin 2 production, clonogenic capability and restoration of stromal cell function in human immunodeficiency virus‐type‐1 patients after highly active antiretroviral therapy

• Published in: British journal of haematology 2002-09, Vol.118 (3), p.864-874
• Main Authors: Isgrò, Antonella, Aiuti, Alessandro, Mezzaroma, Ivano, Addesso, Maria, Riva, Elisabetta, Giovannetti, Antonello, Mazzetta, Francesca, Alario, Cecilia, Mazzone, Annamaria, Ruco, Luigi, Aiuti, Fernando
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accessory cells; Adult; Antibiotics. Antiinfectious agents. Antiparasitic agents; Antigens, CD34 - analysis; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; Antiviral agents; Biological and medical sciences; Bone marrow; Bone Marrow Cells - immunology; Bone Marrow Cells - pathology; CD34 antigen; Cell activation; Cell Culture Techniques; Cell Division - drug effects; Chemokine receptors; Chemokines - biosynthesis; Colony-Forming Units Assay; cytokines; DNA; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Growth factors; HAART; Hematopoiesis - drug effects; Hematopoietic Stem Cells - immunology; Hematopoietic Stem Cells - pathology; highly active antiretroviral therapy; HIV Infections - drug therapy; HIV Infections - immunology; HIV Infections - pathology; HIV-1; Human immunodeficiency virus 1; Humans; Immunodeficiency; Infection; Interleukin 2; Interleukin-2 - biosynthesis; Macrophage inflammatory protein; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; RANTES; Receptors, CCR5 - metabolism; Receptors, CXCR4 - metabolism; Replication; Stem cells; stromal cells; Stromal Cells - immunology; Stromal Cells - pathology; Tumor necrosis factor- alpha
• ISSN: 0007-1048; 1365-2141
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2141.2002.03680.x

Haematological abnormalities frequently occur in patients infected by human immunodeficiency virus‐type 1 (HIV‐1). Increasing evidence indicates that bone marrow suppression (BM) results from viral infection of accessory cells, with impaired stromal function and alteration of haematopoietic growth factor network. We have investigated the effects of antiretroviral therapy on cytokine and chemokine production by BM cells and stromal cells in a group of HIV‐1‐infected subjects before and during treatment. Compared with uninfected controls, an altered cytokine and chemokine production by BM cells was observed before treatment, characterized by decreased interleukin 2 (IL‐2) and elevated tumour necrosis factor‐α, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)‐1α, MIP‐1β, and RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell‐expressed and secreted) levels, along with a defective BM clonogenic activity. Antiretroviral therapy showed increased BM clonogenic capability, associated with normalization of IL‐2 production and chemokine receptors expression on CD34+ cells. Pre‐therapy, BM accessory cells were represented by macrophage‐like cells, in some cases positive for HIV‐1 DNA, suggesting that these cells are the main target of HIV‐1 infection. During therapy, the stromal cells became predominantly fibroblastoid‐like, as observed in normal controls, and were negative for HIV‐1 DNA. Controlling HIV‐1 replication may produce amelioration of stem cell activity, and restoration of stromal cell pattern and functions, with increased IL‐2 production at BM level.