Special features of interferonlambda contents in blood serum of the patients with HIV infection

Studies in HIV infection remain an important issue for modern medicine, which, becomes controlled due to widespread usage of antiretroviral therapy. At the same time, however, it cannot be cured completely, and there is a number of “white spots” in understanding immunopathogenesis of disorders complicating this disease. The in-depth studies of interferon system, in particular from the lambda family, are desirable, because of their antiviral activity in HIV-infected patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate the content of interferons-lambda: IFNλ1 (IL-29) and IFNλ3 (IL-28B) in patients with HIV infection.
Blood serum of 120 patients with HIV infection (average age 49.7±6.2 years) who were treated in the outpatient setting at the Center for AIDS Prevention and Control of Regional Clinical Hospital No. 2 in Vladivostok was subjected to laboratory testing. HIV infection 4A was the main clinical diagnosis in all the patients, i.e., the stage of secondary diseases, remission phase on the background of antiretroviral therapy (ARVT). In 52 patients, chronic viral hepatitis C was found as a concomitant disease. The content of IFNλ1 (IL-29) and IFNλ3 (IL-28B) in venous blood serum was determined by ELISA technique using a “Multiscan” analyzer. The ELISA reagents were from R&D systems, catalog numbers DY5259; DY7246.
In the groups of patients with HIV infection, both with and without viral hepatitis C, the levels of IFNλ1 (IL-29) and IFNλ3 (IL-28B) were significantly reduced in comparison with control group. When comparing the IFN values between the groups, a more pronounced decrease in IFNλ1 (IL-29) was revealed among the patients with viral hepatitis C. When analyzing the level of IFNλ3 (IL-28B), an opposite pattern was observed, i.e., its values in the patients with HIV infection and viral hepatitis C were higher than in the group without hepatitis, but still did not reach appropriate values of the control group. Based on the data on IFNλ3 (IL-28B) antiviral effect upon HIV transmission via macrophages One may assume that induction and maintenance of higher type 3 interferon levels can favorably affect the course of HIV infection. The registered changes in IFNλ1 (IL-29) and IFNλ3 (IL-28B) levels in the patients with HIV and HCV suggest some viral effect upon innate immunity characterized by multidirectional changes, depending on presence or absence of hepatitis C virus. The studies of changes in innate immunity and role of type 3 interferons may extend our knowledge on the interaction between the human body and HIV, and will promote preventive measures and rehabilitation in the patients with HIV infection.