The effect of cellular isolation and cryopreservation on the expression of markers identifying subsets of regulatory T cells.

Background: The role of CD4(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) and their subsets during HIV infection is controversial. Cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) are an important source for assessing number and function of Tregs. However, it is unknown if PBMC isolation and cryopreservation affect the expression of CD120b and CD39, markers that identify specific subsets of Tregs.

Regulatory T Cells, Frailty, and Immune Activation in Men Who Have Sex With Men in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study.

Background: Both HIV infection and frailty have been associated with chronic immune activation. One possible explanation for this chronic immune activation could be low levels of CD4(+) T regulatory cells (Tregs), which suppress immune responses.

Methods: HIV-uninfected (HIV-) and HIV-infected (HIV+) men in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) were classified as frail (or nonfrail) if they expressed (or did not express) the Fried frailty phenotype at two consecutive study visits.

Sleep disordered breathing, fatigue, and sleepiness in HIV-infected and -uninfected men.

Study Objectives: We investigated the association of HIV infection and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with sleep disordered breathing (SDB), fatigue, and sleepiness.

Methods: HIV-uninfected men (HIV-; n = 60), HIV-infected men using HAART (HIV+/HAART+; n = 58), and HIV-infected men not using HAART (HIV+/HAART-; n = 41) recruited from two sites of the Multicenter AIDS cohort study (MACS) underwent a nocturnal sleep study, anthropometric assessment, and questionnaires for fatigue and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. The prevalence of SDB in HIV- men was compared to that in men matched from the Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS).

Association between systemic inflammation and obstructive sleep apnea in men with or at risk for HIV infection.

Background: We sought to determine whether markers of systemic inflammation are associated with the presence of moderate/severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and whether this association differs based on HIV and HIV treatment status.

Methods: HIV-uninfected men (HIV-; n=60), HIV-infected men receiving HAART (HIV+/HAART; n=58) and HIV-infected men not receiving HAART (HIV+/no HAART; n=41) underwent polysomnograpy and measurement of plasma levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, soluble TNF-α receptors I and II (sTNFRI and sTNFRII) and interleukin (IL)-6. The relationship between moderate/severe OSA (respiratory disturbance index ≥15 apnea/hypopnea events/h) and inflammatory markers was assessed with multivariable regression models.

Anthropometry in the prediction of sleep disordered breathing in HIV-positive and HIV-negative men.

Background: Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and neck circumference (NC) are important screening tools for sleep disordered breathing (SDB); however, the utility of anthropometry for this purpose has not been evaluated among HIV-positive patients.

Methods: HIV-negative men (n=60), HIV-positive men receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HIV-positive/HAART; n=58) and HIV-positive men not receiving HAART (HIV-positive/no HAART; n=41) from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study underwent a nocturnal sleep study and anthropomorphic assessment. Moderate-severe SDB was defined as an apnea/hypopnea event rate > or =15 episodes/h.