Human synaptic plasticity gene expression profile and dendritic spine density changes in HIV-infected human CNS cells: role in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND).

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) is characterized by development of cognitive, behavioral and motor abnormalities, and occur in approximately 50% of HIV infected individuals. Our current understanding of HAND emanates mainly from HIV-1 subtype B (clade B), which is prevalent in USA and Western countries. However very little information is available on neuropathogenesis of HIV-1 subtype C (clade C) that exists in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

Innate immune defects correlate with failure of antibody responses to H1N1/09 vaccine in HIV-infected patients.

Background: Mechanisms underlying the failure of influenza vaccine-induced antibody responses in HIV-infected persons are poorly understood.

Objective: To investigate innate immune factors regulating B-cell function in HIV-infected persons and to correlate them with serologic responses to H1N1/09 vaccine.

Methods: We evaluated immunologic characteristics of 17 HIV-infected patients and 8 healthy controls (HCs) at 0, 7, and 28 days (designated T0, T1, and T2) following a single 15-μg dose of nonadjuvanted H1N1/09 influenza vaccine by using flow cytometry, ELISpot, and ELISA.