Virologic and immunologic effect of antiretroviral therapy on HIV-1 in gut-associated lymphoid tissue.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated virologic and immunologic responses to antiretroviral therapy in gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) compared with those found in peripheral blood. METHODS: Eight HIV-1-infected individuals were treated with three reverse transcriptase inhibitors and one protease inhibitor. Endoscopic biopsies were performed at baseline, and at months 1, 2, and 6. We measured the level of cell-associated multiply spliced and unspliced HIV-1 mRNA in GALT and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Immunologic responses were assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Levels of multiply spliced HIV-1 mRNA declined in parallel fashion both in peripheral blood and GALT. After 6 months of thera..