Rat Anti-Mouse CD317 (BST2, PDCA-1) Monoclonal antibody, clone 927 Functional Grade

We utilized mass spectrometry to profile cell surface protein differential expression on primary human T helper (Th1 and Th2) cells with the stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) approach. Proteomic and microarray analyses were done concurrently and results were compared for 38 different genes. Although microarray studies displayed wide variability between donors for mRNA expression, these two approaches were shown to be corroborative for most gene products with the exception of a small subset of uncorrelated protein and message levels. The greatest differing Th1 to Th2 ratios were observed for BST2 (bone marrow stromal protein 2) and TRIM (T cell receptor interacting molecule). Both showed greater Th1 expression by proteomic methods, even though mRNA levels were approximately equal for both. To validate this method, we compared protein expression levels of a recently cloned molecule, B and T cell lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA), on Th1 and Th2 cell populations and showed greater protein expression on Th1 cells, which agrees with a previous analysis of higher BTLA mRNA expression in Th1 cells.

Background Genital viral load (GVL) is the main determinant of sexual transmission of human immune-deficiency virus (HIV). The effect of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on local cervico-vaginal immunological factors associated with GVL is poorly described. We aimed to identify the risk factors of detectable GVL, and the impact of ART on HIV genital shedding and its correlates in a cohort of HIV-infected women, attending HIV care in Kigali, Rwanda. Materials and Methods All participants were evaluated for GVL, plasma viral load (PVL), CD4 count, various sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) at baseline and at month 12. Genital concentration of 19 cytokines and mRNA expression of APOBEC3G and BST2, two host HIV restriction factors, were evaluated at baseline in all participants. Cytokine levels were re-assessed at month 12 only in participants eligible for ART at baseline. Risk factors of GVL >= 40copies/mL at baseline and month 12 were assessed using logistic regression. Effect of 12-month ART on various local and systemic immunological parameters was examined using a paired t-test and McNemar as appropriate. Results 96 of the 247 women enrolled in the study were eligible for ART. After 12 months of ART, PVL and GVL decreased to undetectable level in respectively 74 and 88% of treated participants. ART did not affect cytokine levels. HIV genital shedding occurred only when PVL was detectable. At baseline, GVL was independently associated with IL-1 beta after controlling for PVL, age and N. gonorrhea infection ( 95% CI 1.32-2.15) and at month 12 with MIP-1 beta ( 95% CI 0.96-21.32) after controlling for baseline GVL, PVL and month 12 IL-8. Conclusion Suppressive ART does not necessarily reduce genital level of immune activation. Minimizing all conditions favoring genital inflammation, including active detection and treatment of STIs, might reduce the risk of HIV transmission as supplement to the provision of potent ART.