Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 24, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancing Immune Monitoring in Critical Care Patients Using Whole Blood Assays
06:03

Author Spotlight: Advancing Immune Monitoring in Critical Care Patients Using Whole Blood Assays

Published on: September 20, 2024

1.5K

Systemic DPP4/CD26 is associated with natural HIV-1 control: Implications for COVID-19 susceptibility

Yashini Govender1, Sharon Shalekoff1, Osman Ebrahim2

  • 1Centre for HIV & STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National Health Laboratory Service and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Clinical Immunology (Orlando, Fla.)
|August 15, 2021
PubMed

Insights

The study found differences in dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4/CD26) activity and expression in people living with HIV-1. These findings suggest DPP4/CD26 may impact COVID-19 risk and treatment in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The COVID-19 and HIV-1 pandemics intersect, raising concerns for individuals with HIV, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4/CD26) is a potential therapeutic target and biomarker for COVID-19 risk in patients with comorbidities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate soluble DPP4 (sDPP4) levels and activity in HIV-1 infected and uninfected South African individuals.
  • To compare cell surface DPP4/CD26 expression and activation markers on immune cells between different clinical phenotypes of HIV-1 infection.

Main Methods:

  • Plasma samples from 131 HIV-infected and 20 HIV-uninfected South Africans were analyzed for sDPP4 levels and activity.
  • Flow cytometry was used to assess DPP4/CD26 and activation marker expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

Main Results:

  • HIV-1 progressors exhibited lower specific DPP4 activity and reduced frequency of CD3+ T-cells expressing CD26 compared to HIV-1 controllers.
  • Progressors showed a higher frequency of activated CD3+CD26+ T-cells.
  • The frequency of CD26-expressing T-cells negatively correlated with T-cell activation markers HLA-DR+ and CD38+.

Conclusions:

  • Divergent DPP4/CD26 expression patterns exist between HIV-1 controllers and progressors.
  • These differences may have significant implications for understanding COVID-19 risk and guiding treatment strategies in people living with HIV.

Keywords:
CD26COVID-19DPP4Elite controllersHIV-1Progressors

More Related Videos

Assessing the Innate Sensing of HIV-1 Infected CD4+ T Cells by Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Using an Ex vivo Co-culture System.08:11

Assessing the Innate Sensing of HIV-1 Infected CD4+ T Cells by Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Using an Ex vivo Co-culture System.

Published on: September 1, 2015

8.9K
Isolation of Exosomes from the Plasma of HIV-1 Positive Individuals06:46

Isolation of Exosomes from the Plasma of HIV-1 Positive Individuals

Published on: January 5, 2016

17.6K

Related Concept Videos

Sexually Transmitted Infections01:26

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...
497
Immunodeficiency Diseases01:25

Immunodeficiency Diseases

Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency...
1.3K
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
426
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
1.1K