The effect of anti-retroviral therapy on interleukin (IL)-7/IL-7R in HIV infected patients in China

Objective To explore the effect of anti-retroviral therapy on interleukin(IL)-7/IL-7R in human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) infected patients in China.Methods Cases were divided into 2 groups:HIV-infected group (35 cases),and control group (30 cases).IL-7 in serum,IL-7R(CD127) expression in CD4 +T cells,and CD4 +T cells count were detected and compared between two groups before and after treatment for 1 year.Results IL-7 level in the serum of HIV infected group before treatment [(8.98 ±3.77) pg/ml] was significantly higher than that in control group [(3.84 ±0.86) pg/ml] (P ＜0.05).The counts of CD4+T cells [(202.65 ± 121.54)/μl],CD4 + CD127 + T cells [(60.25 ± 11.75) ％],and CD8 + CD127 + T cells [(46.27 ± 12.10)％] in HIV-infected group were significantly lower than those in control group [(766.99 ± 103.21)/L,(76.89 ± 20.01) ％,(81.27 ± 12.35)％] (P ＜0.05).After anti-retroviral therapy (ART),IL-7 level in the serum of HIV-infected group[(5.55 ± 1.35) pg/ml]was decreased,and CD4+T cells [(450.58 ± 15)/μl],CD4 + CD127 +T cells [(69.82 ± 15.24)％],and [CD8 + CD127 + T(59.23± 14.73) ％] cells was increased in HIV-infected group,with a significant difference between two groups (P ＜0.05).Conclusions ART could improve the IL-7 level in the serum and IL-7R(CD127)expression in CD4 +T cells of HIV-infected patients.However,they still cannot become normal level. Key words: HIV infections/metabolism ;  Antiretroviral therapy, highly active;  Interleukin-7/blood;  Interleukin-7 receptor alpha subunit