SIV-infection-driven changes of pattern recognition receptor expression in mesenteric lymph nodes and gut microbiota dysbiosis

BACKGROUND

The impact of HIV infection on pattern recognition receptor (PRR) expression in gut-associated lymphoid tissue and its association with dysbiosis is not well understood.

METHODS

PRR and cytokine gene expression were examined in mesenteric lymph nodes (mLN) of rhesus macaques during acute and chronic (untreated and early antiretroviral (ART) treated) infections. Gene expression was correlated with microbial abundance in the gut and immune activation.

RESULTS

PRR expression rapidly increases during acute infection and is significantly decreased in chronic infection. Early ART maintains elevated PRR expression. Correlation analysis revealed three distinct groups of bacterial taxa that were associated with gene expression changes in infection.

CONCLUSIONS

PRR and cytokine gene expression in the gut-draining mLN are rapidly modulated in response to viral infection and are correlated with gut dysbiosis. These data suggest that the dysregulation of PRR and related cytokine expression may contribute to chronic immune activation in SIV infection.