CXCR3 Expression Elevated on Peripheral CD8(+) Lymphocytes from HIV/HCV Coinfected Individuals.

HIV/HCV coinfected patients tend to develop hepatitis C (HCV)-associated liver disorders. Because the chemokine receptor CXCR3 participates in lymphocyte trafficking during hepatic inflammation, it may participate in the escalated liver disorders of coinfected patients. However, to date, the relative frequency and density of receptor on lymphocytes has not been established. This study compared the CXCR3(+) phenotype under various in vitro conditions between lymphocytes from healthy and coinfected individuals. Peripheral lymphocytes were stimulated with phytohemagluttinin for 0-7 d and phenotypes were determined by flow cytometry. Secreted cytokines were measured in culture supernatants by ELISA. Phenotypic differences were observed between groups. CD4(+)CXCR3(+) frequency between groups was equivalent before and during early activation, but increased only among non-infected individuals during late activation (p<0.001). In contrast, CD8(+)CXCR3(+) frequency was consistently greater (p<0.05) among HIV/HCV patients throughout activation. Among those who were non-infected, CD8(+)CXCR3(+) frequency increased (p=0.002) during late activation. However, CD8(+)CXCR3(+) frequency among HIV/HCV patients increased within 24 h of activation (p=0.008), and was nearly universal by late activation (p<0.001). Both groups elaborated Th-1 cytokine profiles; however, coinfected patients released more inflammatory cytokines (p<0.01) than non-infected individuals. In summary, we demonstrated that CD8(+) lymphocytes from HIV/HCV-infected patients expressed more CXCR3 and showed greater upregulatory ability upon activation. The atypical CXCR3 expression and enhanced Th-1 cytokine elaboration among coinfected patients could potentially stimulate increased lymphocyte migration during hepatic inflammation.

A self-reported clinical trial investigates the efficacy of 1072 nm light as an anti-ageing agent.

BACKGROUND: Previous laboratory research has shown that human lymphocytes pre-irradiated with 1072 nm light are afforded some protection against subsequent ultraviolet light toxicity. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possibility that 1072 nm light can prevent or reverse skin ageing which itself is known to be accelerated by ultraviolet light. METHODS: A randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, self-reporting study was performed to assess the effect of one daily treatment episode for a period of between 6 and 8 weeks on wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes as well as the appearance of bags under the eyes. RESULTS: Between 52% and 57% of volunteers were able to accurately identify an improvement in the fine lines and wrinkles of the treated areas of skin. Fewer volunteers, between 37% and 46%, observed an improvement in the bags under the treated eye or eyes, albeit with an emphatic statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Regular application of a non-thermal quantity of 1072nm light around the eyes demonstrated efficacy as an anti-ageing agent.