IL-15 and HIV Infection: Lessons for Immunotherapy and Vaccination

Title: IL-15 and HIV Infection: Lessons for Immunotherapy and Vaccination

Volume: 3 Issue: 3

Author(s): Ali Ahmad, Rasheed Ahmad, Alexandre Iannello, Emil Toma, Richard Morisset and Sardar T.A.K. Sindhu

Affiliation:

Keywords: aids, anti-hiv vaccine, ctl, cytokines, hiv, il, nk cells

Abstract: IL-15 is a pleiotropic and multifunctional cytokine that has a diverse array of distinct biological effects in the body. It plays a crucial role in host defense from viral and non-viral intracellular pathogens. The cytokine is essential for the development and differentiation of NK cells and for homeostatic expansion of CD8+ memory T cells, NKT cells and certain subsets of intestinal intra-epithelial lymphocytes (iIEL). It acts as a survival factor and inhibits spontaneous apoptosis in T, B and NK cells by increasing expression of different anti-apoptotic proteins. Several studies have shown that IL-15 production is compromised in HIV-infected AIDS patients and exogenous IL-15 drastically enhances functions of immune cells from these patients. Considering these distinct immune enhancing effects, relative safety in animal models, and minimal effects on HIV replication, IL-15 may represent a better cytokine for immune reconstitution in these patients. Furthermore, IL-15 may also act as a better adjuvant in eliciting antiviral immunity in anti-HIV vaccine strategies.

Cite this article as:

Ahmad Ali, Ahmad Rasheed, Iannello Alexandre, Toma Emil, Morisset Richard and Sindhu T.A.K. Sardar, IL-15 and HIV Infection: Lessons for Immunotherapy and Vaccination, Current HIV Research 2005; 3 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570162054368093