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Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology, July 2004, p. 780-785, Vol. 11, No. 4
1071-412X/04/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/CDLI.11.4.780-785.2004
Copyright © 2004, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Effect of Pregnancy and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection on Intracellular Interleukin-2 Production Patterns

Madeline Y. Sutton,1 Bart Holland,2 Thomas N. Denny,3 Ambrosia Garcia,3 Zenaida Garcia,3 Dana Stein,3 and Arlene D. Bardeguez1*

Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health,1 Department of Preventive Medicine,2 Division of Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey—New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 071023

Received 4 June 2003/ Returned for modification 15 August 2003/ Accepted 16 April 2004

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection decreases the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) from CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Recombinant IL-2 (rIl-2) has been given to HIV-infected individuals to generate significant increases in CD4+ T-cell counts. There are limited data regarding the effects of pregnancy and HIV infection on IL-2 production in humans. To investigate the effects of human pregnancy, HIV infection, and HIV therapy on IL-2 production, we evaluated 61 women. Intracellular IL-2 production by CD4+ T cells from nonpregnant HIV-infected women was significantly lower than in that in uninfected women (45% ± 8% versus 52% ± 8%, P = 0.04). In contrast, there was no difference in levels of intracellular IL-2 production between HIV-infected and uninfected pregnant women. These observations suggest that pregnancy may down-regulate IL-2 production regardless of HIV infection status. Future studies should evaluate IL-2 production patterns in larger cohorts of women so that the physiological significance of IL-2 down-regulation in pregnancy can be further evaluated. This information is essential to assess the possible use of IL-2 supplementation therapy as a means of enhancing immune responses among HIV-infected pregnant women.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, 185 South Orange Ave., MSB E-506, Newark, NJ 07102. Phone: (973) 972-5482. Fax: (973) 972-4574. E-mail: Bardegad{at}UMDNJ.EDU.

Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology, July 2004, p. 780-785, Vol. 11, No. 4
1071-412X/04/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/CDLI.11.4.780-785.2004
Copyright © 2004, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.





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