Mechanisms of Action of Zinc on Immune Parameters in HIV

描述（由申请人提供）：胸腺激素是T细胞成熟所必需的一种激素，只有与锌结合时才具有生物活性，这表明锌对免疫功能，特别是T细胞的作用可能机制。尽管在滥用药物的艾滋病毒血清阳性人群中发现低水平的锌结合活性胸腺蛋白和血浆锌缺乏症，并与艾滋病毒疾病加速进展有关，但尚未探讨艾滋病毒感染中锌状态（血浆锌）、胸腺蛋白和免疫之间的关系。一项研究旨在探讨血浆锌、锌结合的活性胸腺素与HIV疾病进展指标之间的关系，研究对象为参与队列研究的HIV血清阳性用药人群中的男性和女性。这些参与者的血浆储存在-80℃？C将评估锌结合的活性胸腺素水平。锌结合活性胸腺蛋白与血浆锌、CD4+细胞计数、CD4+/CD8+比值、控制病毒载量和抗逆转录病毒药物的关系将被检验。将评估药物滥用对这些关系的调节作用。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Thymulin is a hormone necessary for T cell maturation that is biologically active only when bound to zinc, suggesting a possible mechanism for the action of zinc on immune function, particularly T-cells. The relationship between zinc status (plasma zinc), thymulin and immunity has not been explored in HIV infection, although low levels of zinc-bound active thymulin and plasma zinc deficiency have been found in HIV seropositive people who abuse drugs, and have been associated with accelerated HIV disease progression. A study to explore the relationship between plasma zinc, zinc-bound active thymulin, and indices of HIV disease progression in an HIV seropositive, drug using population of men and women participating in a cohort study is proposed. Plasma from these participants that has been stored at -80?C will be assessed for zinc-bound active thymulin levels. The relationship of zinc-bound active thymulin with plasma zinc, CD4+ cell count, and CD4+/CD8+ ratio, controlling for viral load and antiretroviral medications, will be examined. The moderating effects of drug abuse on these relationships will be evaluated.