Applied Microbiology: Open Access
Open Access
ISSN: 2471-9315
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 2471-9315
+44 1300 500008
Monika M Kowatsch, Lucy Mwangi, Joshua Kimani, Julius Oyugi, Julie Lajoie and Keith R Fowke
University of Manitoba, Canada
University of Nairobi, Kenya
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Appli Micro Open Access
Despite continual effort from the HIV prevention community, there are 2 million new HIV infections yearly suggesting new HIV prevention methods are needed. HIV targets host immune CD4+ T cells; decline in these cells after HIV acquisition leaves individuals susceptible to infection. Despite intense HIV exposure, some individuals remain HIV uninfected; this resistance is associated with a resting immune state, termed immune quiescence (IQ). IQ is defined as: Reduction in levels of proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and number of HIV target cells. Our lab conducted studies to induce IQ in women using safe and globally affordable anti-inflammatory drugs: acetylsalicylic acid and hydroxychloroquine. Both drugs decreased the number of HIV target cells in the blood and genital tract. It is unknown whether induction of IQ is detrimental to normal immune function, required to prevent or control infections. The strength and specificity of the immune response before, and after, the induction of the IQ must be determined. We hypothesize that the induction of immune quiescence using anti-inflammatory drugs will not suppress the immune response to recall antigens. To test our hypothesis, generation of an immune response using 3-day peptide pool stimulation among normal donors in addition to proliferation of T cells in response detected using peptide pool stimulation for 7 days. We found, no change in cytokine or chemokine expression at either the CVL with either drug. If this study can demonstrate that balance has been achieved, inducing IQ through anti-inflammatory drugs could be a new tool in the HIV prevention arsenal.
Email: umkowats@myumanitoba.ca