Cytokine findings in the CSF of HIV-positive patients

Abstract

Cytokines are important mediators of the immune system, which is attacked and permanently disturbed after infection with HIV-1. Since specific immune reactions against HIV are present in the blood as well as in the CNS, both are involved in infection. Immune dysfunction in the CNS may be largely responsible for the development of neuropsychological symptoms in the course of HIV infection and in end-stage HIV-associated dementia (HAD). As potent and easily accessible indicators of immune function, cytokines were identified early in HIV-research as potential surveillance markers. Despite long-term research on cytokines and their diagnostic value in HAD and its precursors, results are, to date, contradictory. Future studies have to be focused on cytokine networks, infection stage, treatment status, autoimmunity, genetic and environmental factors, and they should also use recent genome- and proteome-research techniques.