An evaluation of serum soluble CD30 levels and serum CD26 (DPPIV) enzyme activity as markers of type 2 and type 1 cytokines in HIV patients receivinghighly active antiretroviral therapy

This study evaluates serum CD26 (dipeptidyl peptidase IV, DPPIV) enzyme act ivity and serum levels of soluble CD30 as markers of T1 and T2 cytokine env ironments in HIV patients who achieved immune reconstitution after highly a ctive antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Patients who had experienced inflamma tory disease associated with pre-existent opportunistic infections after HA ART (immune restoration diseases, IRD) were considered separately. Serum sC D30 levels and CD26 (DPPIV) enzyme activity were compared with IFN-gamma pr oduction by PBMC cultured with cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigen in controls an d patient groups. High sCD30 levels were associated with low IFN-gamma prod uction after antigenic stimulation in control subjects and, to a lesser ext ent, in immune reconstituted HIV patients. There was no association between serum CD26 (DPPIV) enzyme activity and IFN-gamma production or sCD30 level s. Serum sCD30 levels and CD26 (DPPIV) enzyme activity were significantly i ncreased in immune reconstituted patients with high HIV viral loads. Patien ts who had experienced CMV retinitis as an IRD had significantly higher sCD 30 levels than all other patient groups. Hence, high sCD30 levels may be a marker of a T2 cytokine environment in HIV patients with immune reconstitut ion and are associated with higher HIV viral loads and a history of CMV ass ociated IRD.