The purpose of this research study is to explore what role immune cells within the gut (the sigmoid colon) have locally and on the immune system of patients infected with HCV, HIV or HCV/ HIV co-infection.
Objective 1: Characterization of the Gut Associated Lymphocytes (GALT) in HIV, HCV and coinfected patients regarding the role of Th17 and cytokine profiles. Hypothesis 1a: HIV and HCV/HIV coinfection is associated with changes in Th17 numbers and functions in GALT. Hypothesis 1b: HIV and HCV/HIV coinfection is associated with changes in cytokine profiles in intestinal mucosa. Objective 2: Identify the relationship between changes in Gut Associated Lymphocytes (GALT) in HIV, HCV and coinfected patients and markers of microbial translocation. Hypothesis 2a: Changes in GALT are associated with increase in microbial translocation in HIV, HCV and coinfected patients.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
40
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Exploring the Role of Gut-associated Th17 in Microbial Translocation in HIV and HCV/HIV Coinfected Patients.
We measure gene transcription of the colon tissues (relative expression fold changes of gene transcription compared to control). No preselected criteria were used to assess the participants. Data were analyzed and compared among each group. Relative expression levels of LEAP-2 (Liver expressed anti-microbial peptide-2) in the four groups were shown in the table below. Detailed of other genes had been published in Shata MT, et al, J. Clin Pathology 2013, Nov 66(11):967-75. PMID 23940131, and Abdel-Hameed et al, J. Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2013 Jul 10 PMID: 23846566
Time frame: One year
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