We set out to determine if decreased CD127 expression or impaired CD127 signaling may be the cause of Th17 impairment in HAART-controlled HIV infection.
Polymorphisms at α-chain of the IL-7 receptor (IL7R or CD127) gene are related to evolution of HIV-infection, but there are no data concerning the evolution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
The T-allele in the single nucleotide polymorphism rs6897932 in the gene encoding the IL-7 receptor α (IL7RA) is associated with reduced risk of autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis and also affects the course of HIV infection.
These findings indicate that HIV infection alters IL-7 responsiveness of thymocytes by a mechanism other than CD127 downregulation and potentially explain the disruption in thymopoiesis observed in HIV infection.
CD4(+)CD127(-)CD25(-) T cells were not selectively resistant to HIV infection as levels of cell-associated virus were similar in all non-naive CD4(+) T cell subsets.
A better understanding of the factors regulating CD127 expression in HIV disease, particularly on T(CM) cells, might unveil new approaches exploiting the IL-7/IL-7R receptor pathway to restore T cell homeostasis and promote immune reconstitution in HIV infection.
Factors relevant to HIV infection that could potentially decrease CD127 expression on human CD8(+) T cells and the mechanisms by which this occurs were therefore evaluated.