IL-7 plasma levels and IL-7Rα expression and production in peripheral blood.

<p>Levels of plasma IL-7 (A), IL-7Rα expression on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells (B–C), and IL-7Rα production in peripheral blood (D) differ between HIV-positive HAART-treated subjects and HIV-seronegative subjects. HIV-positive subjects were subdivided into two groups: subjects with low CD4+ counts and full suppression of viral replication (immunological nonresponders, INRs) or patients with low CD4+ T-cell counts and elevated viral replication (complete failures, CFs). Compared to HIV-seronegative controls, both INRs and CFs displayed augmented IL-7 plasma levels (A) and reduced proportions of IL-7Rα+ CD4+ and IL-7Rα+ CD8+ T cells (B and C). IL-7Rα production was measured in the peripheral blood of 10 unselected HIV-positive patients (6 INRs and 4 CFs) and 6 HIV-seronegative subjects. Both INRs and CFs had significantly lower IL-7Rα mRNA levels than HIV-seronegative controls (D). Histogram heights and error bars denote the mean and standard deviation, respectively, of the indicated parameters. ^*<i>P</i><.05; ^**<i>P</i><.01.