The influence of opiate abuse on the expression of IFN-α, ISG56 and MxA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients infected with HIV

Objective To detect the effect of opiate abuse on HIV replication and the possible mechanism by analyzing the expression ofinterferon-α(IFN-α), interferon stimulated gene 56 (ISG56) and myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients with or without opiates abuse. Methods A total of 200 subjects were randomly recruited from methadone treatment and voluntary HIV counselling and testing centers, and were divided into four groups:Opiate+HIV+, Opiate-HIV+, Opiate+HIV-, and Control. A questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic characteristics. Plasma and PBMCs were isolated from blood samples of the subjects. The expression of IFN-α, ISG56 and MxA level in PBMCs were analyzed by RT-PCR,western blot and ELISA. Results There were no significant differences in gender, age, nationality, domicile, marital status, education level and occupation, and other demographic characteristics among four groups (all P>0.05). Among HIV-1-infected subjects, RNA and protein level of IFN-α, ISG56 and MxA in Opiate+HIV+group were lower than those in Opiate-HIV+ group (all P<0.05). Conclusions Opiate abuse may suppress the antiviral responses of IFN-α, ISG56 and MxA to promote HIV-1 replication.