Mechanisms of Action of Zinc on Immune Parameters in HIV

描述(由申请人提供)：胸腺激素是T细胞成熟所必需的激素，只有在与锌结合时才具有生物学活性，这表明锌对免疫功能，特别是T细胞的作用可能有机制。尽管在滥用药物的HIV血清阳性者中发现低水平的锌结合活性胸腺激素和血浆缺锌，并与加速HIV疾病进展有关，但在HIV感染中，锌状态(血浆锌)、胸腺激素和免疫之间的关系尚未被探索。在参加队列研究的HIV血清阳性的吸毒人群中，一项探索血浆锌、锌结合活性胸腺激素和HIV疾病进展指数之间关系的研究被提出。这些参与者储存在-80℃下的血浆将被评估与锌结合的活性胸腺蛋白水平。锌结合的活性胸腺蛋白与血浆锌、CD4+细胞计数和CD4+/CD8+比值的关系，控制病毒载量和抗逆转录病毒药物，将被研究。将评估药物滥用对这些关系的缓和作用。

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.