In vitro production of type 1 and type 2 cytokines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from subjects coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus and Leishmania infantum

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1999 Jan;60(1):142-5. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1999.60.142.

Abstract

To explore the type 1 and type 2 cytokine profile in cases coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Leishmania infantum, production of interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) was investigated in mitogen-stimulated and unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures from eight HIV/Leishmania coinfected subjects matched with eight anti-HIV-positive subjects with no evidence of Leishmania coinfection. Levels of IL-4 and IL-2R increased significantly from the baseline levels in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell supernatants of HIV/Leishmania coinfected subjects following stimulation with phytohemoagglutin, whereas the postchallenge concentration of IFN-gamma was significantly increased in the HIV-infected group. The levels of IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly higher in the HIV/Leishmania group throughout evaluation. Post-stimulation IFN-gamma production was significantly higher in the HIV-positive group in comparison with that of the HIV-Leishmania coinfected subjects. These observations support the notion that a Th2 cytokine response is present during a Leishmania infection, even among HIV-coinfected individuals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-10 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-4 / biosynthesis
  • Leishmania infantum* / immunology
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / complications*
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / immunology
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / drug effects
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology*
  • Male
  • Phytohemagglutinins / pharmacology
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2 / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Phytohemagglutinins
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2
  • Interleukin-10
  • Interleukin-4
  • Interferon-gamma