Evaluation of TREC/KREC levels in HIV-infected individuals

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate TREC and KREC levels in HIV-infected individuals.Materials and methods. The study material was whole blood samples obtained from HIV-infected individuals with less than one year of infection (n=50) and long-term patients with high viral load and virological failure of ART (n=50). The obtained data were analyzed in comparison with the norm values established earlier for adults of different age groups. Multicolour flow cytometry was used to phenotype peripheral blood cells of HIV-infected individuals. To assess the levels of TREC and KREC molecules with all total DNA samples, quantitative multiplex Real-time PCR was performed using the reagent kit«TREC/KREC-AMP PS» (Saint-Petersburg Pasteur Institute, St. Petersburg), according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Results and discussion. A reliable direct correlation TREC levels in peripheral blood with the number of CD45+CD3+CD19– T-cells (r=0.77, p<0.0001), KREC levels with the number of CD45+CD3–CD19+ B-cells (r=0.79, p<0.0001) was determined. A significant decrease in the levels of TREC and KREC molecules in HIV-infected individuals with high viral load and virological failure of antiretroviral therapy was shown (AUC=0.99, Se=0.99, Sp=0.99 for TREC and for KREC).Conclusion. Assessment TREC and KREC molecule levels in peripheral blood can be used to detect abnormalities in the functioning Tand B-cell immunity to monitor the ART effectiveness in HIV-infected individuals.