Tryptophan catabolism and immune activation in primary and chronic HIV infection

Marco Gelpi
Hans J. Hartling
Per M. Ueland
Henrik Ullum
Marius Trøseid
Susanne D. Nielsen

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Publication date

May 2017

DOI

10.1186/s12879-017-2456-z

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Journal

BMC Infectious Diseases

Abstract

Abstract Background Kynurenine/Tryptophan ratio (KTR) is increased in HIV infection, and linked to immune activation. We hypothesized that early cART initiation results in lower KTR compared to late initiation. Furthermore, we hypothesized that KTR prior to cART is a predictor of the magnitude of subsequent reduction in immune activation. Methods Prospective study including 57 HIV-infected individuals (primary HIV infection (N = 14), early presenters (>350 CD4+ T cells/μL, N = 24), late presenters (<200 CD4+ T cells/μL, N = 19)). Kynurenine and tryptophan were analysed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Total CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were determined and proportion of activated CD38 + HLA-DR+ Tcells was measured using flow cytom...