Infection by Different HIV-1 Subtypes (B and C) Results in a Similar Immune Activation Profile Despite Distinct Immune Backgrounds

We compared the immune activation profile of 46 HIV-negative and 75 HIV-positive Israelis infected with HIV-1 subtype B, with 85 HIV-negative and 102 HIV-positive Ethiopian immigrants to Israel, who were infected with HIV subtype C. The HIV-negative Ethiopians had exceedingly high blood levels of eosinophils, immunoglobulin E (IgE), and p75s tumor-necrosis factor receptors (p75sTNFR); secretion of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-10 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC); proportion of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR cells within CD3, CD4, and CD8 T-cell subsets; and proportion of CD45RO CD4 cells; while having significantly lower secretion of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) by PBMC and percentage of CD45RA CD4 and CD28 CD8 cells. HIV infection in both populations was associated with reduced IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-12 secretion, number of CD28 and CD45RA CD8 cells, and increased number of HLA-DR-CD3, CD4, and CD8 cells, and CD45RO CD8 cells. Thus, infection with HIV-1 subtypes B and C of studied Israelis and Ethiopians, respectively, results in a similar immune activation profile at all stages of the infection when living in the same environment, despite the striking different immune profile observed in the HIV-negative Israeli and Ethiopian populations. Together with our previous observations, this indicates that HIV subtype is not a major determinant in the natural course of HIV infection.