Associated changes in the transcription levels of IL-17A and tight junction-associated genes in the duodenal mucosa of rhesus macaques repeatedly exposed to simian/human immunodeficiency virus

• mRNA levels of tight junction-associated genes decreased after SHIV infection.
• IL-17A mRNA levels were altered in parallel to that of TJ-associated genes.
• Levels of TJ-associated genes were positively correlated with that of IL-17A.

BackgroundMucosal barrier dysfunction might play a key role in HIV/AIDS, yet the early effects of HIV-1 on intestinal mucosal barrier, especially tight junctions (TJ) have not been well addressed.AimsTo investigate the effects of acute HIV-1 infection on the expression of intestinal IL-17A and TJ-associated genes using an NHP-AIDS model.MethodsTaqMan probe real-time RT-PCR methods were established and claudin-1, claudin-3, occludin and zonula occluden-1 (ZO-1) mRNA levels in the duodenal biopsies of rhesus macaques collected before and after rectal exposures to SHIV-SF162P4 were examined and compared with that of IL-17A, IL-6, TGF-β, RORγt, T-bet, Foxp-3 and GATA-3.ResultsThe mRNA levels of TJ-associated genes were statistically significantly reduced soon after viral exposures and the mRNA levels of claudin-1, occludin and ZO-1 in viral positive tissues (from Group I) were lower than that in viral negative tissues (from Group II) after viral exposure. IL-17A mRNA levels were also decreased and positively correlated with the mRNA levels of the TJ-associated genes after viral exposure or infection, although the levels of IL-6, TGF-β and RORγt mRNA showed no statistical difference. The levels of GATA-3 mRNA in tissues collected before viral exposure were statistically different between Group I and Group II animals. The balance between T-bet and GATA-3 mRNA levels in Group II was markedly altered and statistically significantly different from that in Group I.ConclusionsAcute SHIV, and by extension HIV infection could affect the expression of TJ-associated genes, probably through IL-17A and other immune alterations.