Plasma concentrations of soluble Fas receptors (Fas) and Fas ligands (FasL) in relation to CD4+ cell counts in HIV-1 positive and negative patients in Yaounde, Cameroon

摘要

Background Though documented that HIV infection progresses with the depletion of CD4+ cells, the exact mechanisms by which these cell depletions occur are not clearly understood. This study aimed at evaluating the plasma levels of soluble Fas receptors and ligands in HIV-infected and uninfected patients in Yaounde, Cameroon, a population with a known diversity of HIV in whom this has not been previously assessed. Findings In a cross-sectional study, 39 antiretroviral na?ve HIV-1 positive and negative participants were recruited in Yaounde, Cameroon. CD4+ lymphocyte cell counts were quantified from whole blood using an automated FACScount machine (Becton-Dickinson, Belgium). Plasma samples obtained were analyzed for soluble Fas receptors and Fas ligands in both HIV-1 positive and negative samples using two different quantitative sandwich ELISA kits (Quantikine?, R&D Systems , UK). Plasma levels of Fas receptors were higher in HIV-1 positive patients (median?=?1486pg/ml IQR?=?1193, 1830pg/ml) compared to HIV-negative controls (median?=?1244pg/ml, IQR?=?1109, 1325pg/ml), p-value HIV-1 positive patients (median?=?154pg/ml, IQR?=?111, 203pg/ml) compared to HIV-negative controls (median?=?51pg/ml, IQR?=?32, 88pg/ml), p-value =?0.005. Plasma concentrations of soluble fas receptors and ligands tended to be negatively correlated with the CD4+ cell counts of HIV-positive patients; the correlation coefficients were -0.34 (value?=?0.78) and-0.3 ( p-value =?0.51) respectively. Conclusions In this population of patients in Cameroon, plasma concentrations of Fas receptors and Fas ligands tend to be higher in HIV-positive patients. The Fas pathway of apoptosis may have a role in the depletion of CD4+ cell counts