CXCR4+ and CCR5+ expression on blood lymphocytes and its changes in AIDS development in HIV/HCV coinfected patients

Abstract

Purpose: To measure the CCR5+ and CXCR4+ expression on blood lymphocytes, its changes in AIDS development, and correlation of CCR5+ and CXCR4+ expression with a number of T-cells, T-helpers, cytotoxic T-cells, activated T-cells (CD3+ HLA-DR+), T-regs cells, natural killer (NK)-cells, B cells, in order to determine the type of immune response activation in HIV/HCV coinfected patients. Materials and methods: The patients were divided into four groups. The 1st group included 51 patients with HIV/HCV coinfection; the 2nd group consisted of 23 patients with HIV-infection; the 3 rd group was composed of 10 patients with HCV-infection. Control group consisted of 16 healthy individuals. In the current investigation, the monoclonal antibodies were used. The cells were analyzed using flow cytometer. Results: In patients with HIV/HCV coinfection CXCR4 expression on blood lymphocytes was reduced in comparison with control. CCR5 expression on blood lymphocytes, HLA-DR expression on CD3+lymphocytes and cytotoxic T-cells, numbers of CD8 T-lymphocytes were increased and in the same time the number of CD4+CD25+ was reduced in HIV/HCV coinfected patients in comparison with the HCV-infected patients and control group. Conclusions: In chronic HIV/HCV coinfected patients CCR5+ expression on blood lymphocytes was increased and CCR5+ expression on CD4+ T-lymphocytes was decreased in comparison with healthy individuals and HCV-infected patients. With the development of AIDS, CXCR4+ and CCR5+ expressions on CD4+T-lymphocytes, CXCR4+ expressions on blood lymphocytes were decreased and CCR5+ expression on blood lympho¬cytes was increased. Increased CCR5+ expression on blood lymphocytes in HIV/HCV coinfected patients was associated with Th1 type immune response activation.