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Stimulation of the primary anti‐HIV antibody response by IFN‐α in patients with acute HIV‐1 infection
Author(s) -
AdalidPeralta Laura,
Godot Véronique,
Colin Céline,
Krzysiek Roman,
Tran Thi,
Poignard Pascal,
Venet Alain,
Hosmalin Anne,
Lebon Pierre,
Rouzioux Christine,
Chene Genevieve,
Emilie Dominique
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of leukocyte biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.819
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1938-3673
pISSN - 0741-5400
DOI - 10.1189/jlb.1007675
Subject(s) - antibody , immunology , biology , immune system , in vivo , ex vivo , viral load , interferon , western blot , medicine , virology , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , gene
Type I IFNs are needed for the production of antiviral antibodies in mice; whether they also stimulate primary antibody responses in vivo during human viral infections is unknown. This was assessed in patients acutely infected with HIV‐1 and treated with IFN‐α2b. Patients with acute HIV‐1 infection were randomized to receive antiretroviral therapy alone (Group A, n =60) or combined for 14 weeks with pegylated‐IFN‐α2b (Group B, n =30). Emergence of anti‐HIV antibodies was monitored during 32 weeks by Western blot (WB) analyses of serum samples. IFN‐α2b treatment stimulated the production of anti‐HIV antibodies. On Week 32, 19 weeks after the last IFN‐α2b administration, there were 8.5 (6.5–10.0) HIV WB bands (median, interquartile range) in Group B and 7.0 (5.0–10.0) bands in Group A ( P =0.054), and band intensities were stronger in Group B ( P <0.05 for p18, p24, p34, p40, and p55 HIV antigens). IFN‐α2b treatment also increased circulating concentrations of the B cell‐activating factor of the TNF family ( P <0.001) and ex vivo production of IL‐12 ( P <0.05), reflecting its effect on innate immune cells. Withdrawal of antiretroviral treatment on Week 36 resulted in a lower rebound of HIV replication in Group B than in Group A ( P <0.05). Therefore, type I IFNs stimulate the emerging anti‐HIV immune response in patients with acute HIV‐1 infection, resulting in an improved control of HIV replication. Type I IFNs are thus critical in the development of efficient antiviral immune responses in humans, including the production of antiviral antibodies.