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Updated: Apr 22, 2026

Evaluation of the Efficacy And Toxicity of RNAs Targeting HIV-1 Production for Use in Gene or Drug Therapy
Published on: September 5, 2016
Successful treatment of HIV-1 infection increases the expression of a novel, short transcript for IL-18 receptor α
Milena Nasi1, Silvia Alboni, Marcello Pinti
1*Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; †Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; and ‡Infectious Diseases Clinics, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy.
Abstract:
: The importance of interleukin (IL)-18 in mediating immune activation during HIV infection has recently emerged. IL-18 activity is regulated by its receptor (IL-18R), formed by an α and a β chain, the IL-18-binding protein, and the newly identified shorter isoforms of both IL-18R chains. We evaluated gene expression of the IL-18/IL-18R system in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HIV+ patients. Compared with healthy donors, IL-18 expression decreased in patients with primary infection. The IL-18Rα short transcript expression was strongly upregulated by successful highly active antiretroviral therapy. HIV progression and its treatment can influence the expression of different components of the complex IL-18/IL-18R system.

