Mechanisms of IgE elevation in HIV-1 infection

Crit Rev Immunol. 2000;20(6):477-96.

Abstract

Serum IgE levels are high in adults and children with HIV-1 infection and could be a marker of poor prognosis. Allergic reactions and adverse reactions to drugs also tend to increase in HIV-1-infected individuals. An imbalance between a "T(H)1-like" and a "T(H)2-like" cytokine profile has been documented in HIV-1 infection. We have demonstrated that HIV-1 gp 120 from different clades is a stimulus for histamine and cytokine (IL-4 and IL-13) release from basophils. Gp 120 acts as a viral superantigen, interacting with the V(H)3 region of IgE to induce mediator release from human Fc epsilonRI+ cells. Human basophils and mast cells express the chemokine receptor CCR3, which binds the chemokines eotaxin and RANTES. By interacting with the CCR3 receptor on Fc epsilonRI+ cells, HIV-I Tat protein is a potent chemoattractant for human basophils and lung mast cells. Preincubation of basophils with Tat protein upregulates mRNA CCR3 and the surface expression of this chemokine receptor. Tat also induces IL-4 and IL-13 release from basophils. Extracellular Tat can influence the directional migration of human Fc epsilonRI+ cells, the expression of chemokine receptor CCR3, and the release of T(H)2 cytokines. Our results indicate two novel mechanisms by which two HIV-1 proteins, gp120 and Tat, trigger the release of cytokines critical for T(H)2 polarization from human Fc epsilonRI+ cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Gene Products, tat / immunology
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / immunology
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood*
  • Models, Immunological
  • Receptors, IgE
  • Th2 Cells / cytology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*
  • tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Substances

  • Gene Products, tat
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120
  • Receptors, IgE
  • tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
  • Immunoglobulin E