Loss of Balance between Th17 and T Regulatory Cells in SIV Infection
Author Information
Author(s): David Favre, Sharon Lederer, Bittoo Kanwar, Zhong-Min Ma, Sean Proll, Zeljka Kasakow, Jeff Mold, Louise Swainson, Jason D. Barbour, Carole R. Baskin, Robert Palermo, Ivona Pandrea, Christopher J. Miller, Michael G. Katze, Joseph M. McCune
Primary Institution: University of California, San Francisco
Hypothesis
A critical distinction between pathogenic and nonpathogenic infections may lie in a shift in the equilibrium between pro- and anti-inflammatory host immune responses during acute infection.
Conclusion
The study found that loss of the Th17 to Treg balance is related to SIV disease progression.
Supporting Evidence
- SIVagm-infected pigtailed macaques developed systemic immune activation and Th17 cell depletion.
- African green monkeys maintained a balanced Th17 and Treg cell population.
- The loss of Th17 cells was predictive of systemic T cell activation.
- SIV infection resulted in a significant increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines in pigtailed macaques.
Takeaway
This study shows that in some monkeys, a virus can cause sickness, while in others, it doesn't, and this is linked to the balance of certain immune cells.
Methodology
The study compared acute pathogenic SIV infection in pigtailed macaques to non-pathogenic infection in African green monkeys, analyzing immune responses and viral loads.
Participant Demographics
Four pigtailed macaques and four African green monkeys were used in the study.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.02
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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