CIRCULATING CELL-ADHESION MOLECULES IN HIV-1-INFECTED PATIENTS AS INDICATOR MARKERS FOR AIDS PROGRESSION

Cell adhesion molecules play an important role during immune responses , Circulating (c) forms of these molecules Rave been used as monitors of disease progression. In this study, we have investigated serum leve ls of ICAM1, ICAM2, ICAM3 and VCAM1 in HIV-infected patients. Our resu lts showed that levels of cICAMs and cVCAM1 are increased during HIV i nfection. Among an HIV-infected population, the cICAM2 level was highe r in the asymptomatic group compared to the AIDS group. In contrast, t he cICAM1 level was higher in the AIDS group compared to the asymptoma tic group. No difference between the two groups was observed in cICAM3 and cVCAM1 levels. A significant correlation was found between cICAM1 , cICAM2 and cVCAM1 in both populations. We also showed that the cICAM 1/cICAM2 ratio was correlated with the increase in the cp, microglobul in level and the decrease in CD4 T-cell counts in the AIDS group. Thes e results indicate that serum cCAM1 and cICAM2 in HIV infection could be additional markers to discriminate between asymptomatic and progres sor patients.