The current antiretroviral therapy has improved the clinical outcome of HIV-infected patients. However, the drug toxicity, the emergence of drug-resistant HIV variants and the incomplete reconstitution of immune responses underline the need for additional therapeutic strategies, such as cytokine-based therapy. Interleukin-15 (IL-15) has a central role in the immune response during HIV infection. Recently, defective production of IL-15 has been found in AIDS patients and it might account for the impairment of natural and adaptive immune responses against HIV. IL-15 is more potent than IL-2 and IL-7 in enhancing the function of HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells and it is a superior HIV vaccine molecular adjuvant. In this Opinion, we propose that IL-15 could be used for clinical intervention in HIV infection.
Teaching tired T cells to fight HIV: time to test IL-15 for immunotherapy? / Mastroianni, Claudio Maria; D'Ettorre, Gabriella; Gabriele, Forcina; Vullo, Vincenzo. - In: TRENDS IN IMMUNOLOGY. - ISSN 1471-4906. - 25:3(2004), pp. 121-125. [10.1016/j.it.2004.01.002]
Teaching tired T cells to fight HIV: time to test IL-15 for immunotherapy?
MASTROIANNI, Claudio Maria;Gabriella D'Ettorre;VULLO, Vincenzo
2004
Abstract
The current antiretroviral therapy has improved the clinical outcome of HIV-infected patients. However, the drug toxicity, the emergence of drug-resistant HIV variants and the incomplete reconstitution of immune responses underline the need for additional therapeutic strategies, such as cytokine-based therapy. Interleukin-15 (IL-15) has a central role in the immune response during HIV infection. Recently, defective production of IL-15 has been found in AIDS patients and it might account for the impairment of natural and adaptive immune responses against HIV. IL-15 is more potent than IL-2 and IL-7 in enhancing the function of HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells and it is a superior HIV vaccine molecular adjuvant. In this Opinion, we propose that IL-15 could be used for clinical intervention in HIV infection.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
