IL-10 is up-regulated in multiple cell types during viremic HIV infection and reversibly inhibits virus-specific T cells

MA Brockman, DS Kwon, DP Tighe… - Blood, The Journal …, 2009 - ashpublications.org
MA Brockman, DS Kwon, DP Tighe, DF Pavlik, PC Rosato, J Sela, F Porichis, S Le Gall…
Blood, The Journal of the American Society of Hematology, 2009ashpublications.org
Murine models indicate that interleukin-10 (IL-10) can suppress viral clearance, and
interventional blockade of IL-10 activity has been proposed to enhance immunity in chronic
viral infections. Increased IL-10 levels have been observed during HIV infection and IL-10
blockade has been shown to enhance T-cell function in some HIV-infected subjects.
However, the categories of individuals in whom the IL-10 pathway is up-regulated are poorly
defined, and the cellular sources of IL-10 in these subjects remain to be determined. Here …
Abstract
Murine models indicate that interleukin-10 (IL-10) can suppress viral clearance, and interventional blockade of IL-10 activity has been proposed to enhance immunity in chronic viral infections. Increased IL-10 levels have been observed during HIV infection and IL-10 blockade has been shown to enhance T-cell function in some HIV-infected subjects. However, the categories of individuals in whom the IL-10 pathway is up-regulated are poorly defined, and the cellular sources of IL-10 in these subjects remain to be determined. Here we report that blockade of the IL-10 pathway augmented in vitro proliferative capacity of HIV-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells in individuals with ongoing viral replication. IL-10 blockade also increased cytokine secretion by HIV-specific CD4 T cells. Spontaneous IL-10 expression, measured as either plasma IL-10 protein or IL-10 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), correlated positively with viral load and diminished after successful antiretroviral therapy. IL-10 mRNA levels were up-regulated in multiple PBMC subsets in HIV-infected subjects compared with HIV-negative controls, particularly in T, B, and natural killer (NK) cells, whereas monocytes were a major source of IL-10 mRNA in HIV-infected and -uninfected individuals. These data indicate that multiple cell types contribute to IL-10–mediated immune suppression in the presence of uncontrolled HIV viremia.
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