Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Isolation of Exosomes from the Plasma of HIV-1 Positive Individuals
06:46

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

Published on: January 5, 2016

Elevated concentrations of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) in HIV-1 infection

J Möst1, R Zangerle, M Herold

  • 1Institut für Hygiene, Leopold-Franzens-Universität, Innsbruck, Austria.

Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes
|March 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (cICAM-1) are significantly elevated in HIV-1-infected individuals. These higher cICAM-1 concentrations correlate with immune activation markers, suggesting a role in HIV-1 immune dysfunction.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) is a membrane-bound glycoprotein crucial for immune cell interactions.
  • A soluble form (cICAM-1) is found in serum, with elevated levels noted in cancer patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To measure serum cICAM-1 levels in individuals with HIV-1 infection.
  • To investigate the correlation between cICAM-1 and indicators of disease progression and immune activation in HIV-1.

Main Methods:

  • Serum samples from HIV-1-infected individuals and HIV-seronegative controls were analyzed.
  • Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantify cICAM-1 levels.
  • Correlations with CD4+ T cell counts, disease staging, IL-6, urinary neopterin, and C-reactive protein were assessed.

Main Results:

  • HIV-1-infected individuals exhibited significantly higher serum cICAM-1 concentrations compared to controls (median 487 ng/ml vs. 294 ng/ml).
  • cICAM-1 levels did not correlate with CD4+ T cell counts or disease progression (Walter Reed staging).
  • Elevated cICAM-1 correlated with increased serum IL-6 and urinary neopterin, but not C-reactive protein.

Conclusions:

  • HIV-1 infection is associated with significantly elevated circulating cICAM-1 levels.
  • High cICAM-1 concentrations may contribute to immune system disturbances in HIV-1 infection.
  • cICAM-1 may serve as a marker of immune activation in the context of HIV-1.

More Related Videos

Dynamic Adhesion Assay for the Functional Analysis of Anti-adhesion Therapies in Inflammatory Bowel Disease08:27

Dynamic Adhesion Assay for the Functional Analysis of Anti-adhesion Therapies in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Published on: September 20, 2018

Single-Cell Characterization of Calcium Influx and HIV-1 Infection using a Multiparameter Optofluidic Platform07:15

Single-Cell Characterization of Calcium Influx and HIV-1 Infection using a Multiparameter Optofluidic Platform

Published on: May 18, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions01:17

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
Adherens Junctions01:24

Adherens Junctions

Strong contact points between adjacent cells anchor them to each other, forming tissues. Such anchoring junctions are of two types –  adherens junctions and desmosomes. Adherens junctions are abundant in tissues such as  epithelium and endothelium, forming a continuous zone of adhesion called the adhesion belt. In other tissues, such as  heart muscle, they appear as clusters, linking the cells to produce coordinated heart muscle contraction.
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
The endothelial cells...
Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions01:20

Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are pivotal to multicellularity and the coordinated functioning of tissues and organ systems. They enable physical interactions between cells and provide mechanical strength to tissues. They also function as receptors for signal transmission across the plasma membrane. The CAMs are broadly classified into four families - integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulin-like CAMs (IgCAMs).
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily  involved in a...
Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules01:31

Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules

Immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules or Ig-CAMs are a versatile group of cell surface glycoproteins belonging to the immunoglobulin protein superfamily. Ig-CAMs possess the characteristic immunoglobulin protein domains and other domains such as the fibronectin type III domain. The Ig domains are glycosylated to varying degrees in different Ig-CAMs.
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...
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...