For the first time the increased α-defensins 1-3 production by dendritic cells shows a slower progression of the infection
HIV/AIDS remains one of the world's most significant public health challenges, particularly in developing countries. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1), the variant responsible for the pandemic, has the ability to infect different cell types such as T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells (DC). These latter cells are crucial in the defense against infectious agents and play a major role in viral pathogenesis. The present study, led by researchers from Hospital Clinic de Barcelona-IDIBAPS, within the framework of HIVACAT, shows for the first time that dendritic cells in HIV-infected patients who spontaneously control the infection produce high levels of α-defensins 1 -3. This is associated with slower disease progression, suggesting potential diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive implications. The first author of this study is Dr. Marta Rodriguez-Garcia, Emili Letang Fellowship award from Hospital Clinic of Barcelona for her work in this line of research, and currently a postdoc at The Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard. The senior researchers of the study are Dr. Teresa Gallart, from the Immunology Service of Hospital Clinic and collaborator of the IDIBAPS team on Infectious Diseases and AIDS, and Dr. Josep M - Gatell, Head of the Infectious Diseases Department at the Hospital Clinic and leader of the same IDIBAPS team.
The study was done in collaboration with the Catalan Center for HIV Vaccine Research and Development (HIVACAT), a public-private partnership involving IrsiCaixa Foundation and the Infectious Diseases Department at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona. The research conducted within this initiative is made in coordination with Esteve and with the support of "La Caixa" Foundation and the Health and the Innovation, Universities and Enterprise Departments of the Generalitat de Catalunya.
Defensins are endogenous antimicrobial peptides with broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties and immunomodulatory effects. They have a potent anti-HIV activity, acting directly on the virus and also in target cells. According to its structure, human defensins are classified into two subfamilies: α-defensins and β-defensins, both with anti-HIV activity. The α-defensins, also known as human neutrophil peptides, are stored in neutrophils and, to a lesser extent, in other types of leukocytes. Although the anti-HIV activity of α-defensins1-3 has been clearly demonstrated in vitro, their possible protective role during HIV infection in vivo remains uncertain.