Objective To detect the plasma cytokine concentrations of SIVmac239 (simian immunodeficiency virus)-infected rhesus monkeys and analyze their correlation with disease characteristics.
Methods Chinese rhesus monkeys chronically infected with SIVmac239 were given HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy) for 147 days. Plasma viral loads and cytokine concentrations were determined, the changes in peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets were detected, and the correlation between plasma cytokines and disease characteristics was analyzed.
RESULTS: Plasma viral load in SIVmac239-infected rhesus monkeys decreased below the detection limit during HAART treatment. Concentrations of most cytokines increased after infection and persisted during HAART treatment. After discontinuation of HAART treatment, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TGF-β1, and IL-2 concentrations decreased slightly, but remained significantly higher than before infection. TNF-α, IFN-α, and IFN-γ continued to increase. Only IP-10 decreased during HAART treatment. IL-6, IL-1β and TGF-β1 were negatively correlated with plasma viral load, and IP-10 was positively correlated with plasma viral load.
Conclusions Most cytokines are elevated in established infection and HAART treatment, and the concentration of most cytokines decreases but still higher than normal levels after drug withdrawal. The three cytokines, IL-6, TGF-β1, and IP-10, were consistent with the clinic in terms of their changing trends and their correlation with disease characteristics.