Authors: Ahmad, Ali; Ahmad, Rasheed; Iannello, Alexandre; Toma, Emil; Morisset, Richard; Sindhu, Sardar T.A.K.

Source: Current HIV Research, Volume 3, Number 3, July 2005 , pp. 261-270(10)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

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.

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

Document Type: Review article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570162054368093

Affiliations: 1: Center of Research, Ste Justine Hospital, 3175 Cote Ste-Catherine, Montreal, Qc, H3T 1C5, Canada.

Publication date: 2005-07-01

More about this publication?

• Current HIV Research aims to cover all the latest and outstanding developments of HIV research. We invite comprehensive review articles and novel, pioneering work in the basic and clinical fields on all areas of HIV research, including virus replication and gene expression, HIV assembly, virus-cell interaction, viral pathogenesis, epidemiology and transmission, anti-retroviral therapy and adherence, drug discovery, the latest developments in HIV/AIDS vaccines and animal models, mechanisms and interactions with AIDS related diseases, social and public health issues related to HIV disease, and prevention of viral infection. Each issue of the journal contains a series of timely in-depth reviews and original research written by leaders in the field covering a range of current topics on HIV research. Periodically, the journal will invite guest editors to devote an issue on a particular area of HIV research of great interest that increases our understanding of the virus and its complex interaction with the host.

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