Publications

Interleukin (IL)-17A plays an important role in host defense against a variety of pathogens and may also contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. However, precise identification and quantification of the cells that produce this cytokine in vivo have not been performed. We generated novel IL-17A reporter mice to investigate expression of IL-17A during Klebsiella pneumoniae infection and during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, conditions previously demonstrated to potently induce IL-17A production. In both settings, the majority of IL-17A was produced by non-CD4(+) T cells, particularly γδ T cells, but also invariant NKT cells and other CD4(-)CD3ε(+) cells. As measured in dual-reporter mice, IFN-γ-producing Th1 cells greatly outnumbered IL-17A-producing Th17 cells throughout both challenges. Production of IL-17A by cells from unchallenged mice or by non-T cells under any condition was not evident. Administration of IL-1β and/or IL-23 elicited rapid production of IL-17A by γδ T cells, invariant NKT cells and other CD4(-)CD3ε(+) cells in vivo, demonstrating that these cells are poised for rapid cytokine production and likely comprise the major sources of this cytokine during acute immunologic challenges.

LPS treatment of macrophages induces TG accumulation, which is accentuated by TG-rich lipoproteins or FFA. We defined pathways altered during macrophage activation that contribute to TG accumulation. Glucose uptake increased with activation, accompanied by increased GLUT1. Oxidation of glucose markedly decreased, whereas incorporation of glucose-derived carbon into FA and sterols increased. Macrophage activation also increased uptake of FFA, associated with an increase in CD36. Oxidation of FA was markedly reduced, whereas the incorporation of FA into TGs increased, associated with increased GPAT3 and DGAT2. Additionally, macrophage activation decreased TG lipolysis; however, expression of ATGL or HSL was not altered. Macrophage activation altered gene expression similarly when incubated with exogenous FA or AcLDL. Whereas activation with ligands of TLR2 (zymosan), TLR3 (poly I:C), or TLR4 (LPS) induced alterations in macrophage gene expression, leading to TG accumulation, treatment of macrophages with cytokines had minimal effects. Thus, activation of TLRs leads to accumulation of TG in macrophages by multiple pathways that may have beneficial effects in host defense but could contribute to the accelerated atherosclerosis in chronic infections and inflammatory diseases.

Chronic kidney disease and HIV infection both independently increase the risk of anemia. It is not known if individuals with both HIV infection and kidney dysfunction are at greater than expected risk of anemia resulting from the combined effect of these factors. Men from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study with AIDS-free time after 1996 were included in the analysis if they had an initial hemoglobin value greater than 13 g/dl and available serum creatinine measurements for the estimation of glomerular filtration rate. Hemoglobin data were fit parametrically using a linear mixed effects model and effects of medication use on hemoglobin levels were removed using censoring methods. The effect of both HIV infection and glomerular filtration rate less than 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) on the mean hemoglobin value was assessed. The risk of having anemia (hemoglobin level falling below 13 g/dl) was estimated. There were 862 HIV-infected and 1,214 HIV-uninfected men who contributed to the analysis. Hemoglobin values across all 17,341 person-visits, adjusting for age, were generally lower in HIV-infected AIDS-free men with impaired kidney function by -0.22 g/dl (95% CI: -0.42, -0.03) compared to men with either HIV infection or impaired kidney function, but not both. HIV-infected AIDS-free men with impaired kidney function have a higher risk of anemia by 1.2% compared to HIV-uninfected men with normal kidney function. Comorbid conditions and medication use did not explain this increase in risk. HIV infection and impaired kidney function have a combined impact on lowering hemoglobin levels, resulting in a higher risk of anemia.