Higher levels of TNF and IL-4 cytokines and low miR-182 expression in visceral leishmaniasis-HIV co-infected patients

Parasite Immunol. 2020 Apr;42(4):e12701. doi: 10.1111/pim.12701.

Abstract

Aims: The aim of the present study was to assess serum cytokine and miRNA expression in visceral leishmaniasis-HIV (VL-HIV) co-infection and HIV mono-infection.

Methods and results: We analysed 113 serum samples from HIV patients in areas endemic for leishmaniasis. The diagnosis of VL was confirmed in 65 of these 113 samples. The VL-HIV and HIV groups presented significant differences regarding haemoglobin level (P < .0001), lymphocyte count (P = .0444), white blood cell count (P = .0108), weight loss (P = .0310), HIV load (P < .0001) and CD4+ T-lymphocytes count (P = .0003). Levels of IL-6 and IL-10, IFN-γ and IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10, TNF and IL-2 were positively correlated in VL-HIV co-infection, indicating higher serum levels of TNF and IL-4 (P < .0001). In addition, miR-182 expression was found to be significantly higher in HIV (P = .009), miR-210 exhibited no statistically significant difference between groups, and nonexpression of miR-122 was found in both groups.

Conclusion: Together, TNF, IL-4 and miR-182 may represent circulatory biomarkers of VL-HIV co-infection.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS; cytokine; expression profiling; leishmaniasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Coinfection
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / blood*
  • HIV Infections / complications
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-10 / blood
  • Interleukin-4 / blood
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / blood*
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / complications
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / blood*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Cytokines
  • IL10 protein, human
  • IL4 protein, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Mirn182 microRNA, human
  • Interleukin-10
  • Interleukin-4