Variation in the expression of human immunodeficiency virus RNA and cytokine mRNA in rectal mucosa during the progression of infection

Previous studies demonstrated that mucosal HIV p24 antigen content varied during the progression of HIV infection. In this study, expression of HIV RNA and mRNA of selected cytokines was examined in rectal mucosa from HIV- infected individuals. Rectal biopsies from 27 subjects were studied: 7 with CD4 counts > 500/mm³ (early), 11 with CD4 < 500 (intermediate), and 9 with AIDS (late), plus 4 HIV-seronegative controls. RNA in situ hybridization was performed using ³⁵S-labeled riboprobes of H1V, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, INF-α, IFN-γ, and TGF-β HIV RNA was detected more frequently in the intermediate group than in the other groups (p < 0.005). Cytokine mRNA expression also varied during disease progression. The expression of IFN-α, IFN-γ, and TGF-β mRNA was most prevalent early in the disease; peak expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-10 was seen during the intermediate stage, and peak expression of TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA were seen in AIDS patients. HIV RNA and cytokine mRNA expression vary during HIV disease progression. HIV RNA expression is greatest in the intermediate stage of the disease. The pattern of cytokine mRNA expression suggests predominant cell-mediated immunity under basal conditions and early in the disease, generalized cytokine activation in its middle phase, and proinflammatory cytokine activation in AIDS patients. Cytokine modulation of HIV expression in rectal mucosa in vivo may occur and have pathogenic importance.