Inflammatory cytokines and inhibitors in HIV infection: correlation between interleukin-1 receptor antagonist and weight loss

Abstract

IL-1Ra levels are significantly elevated in HIV infected patients, independently of immune deficiency. We propose that IL-1Ra accumulates in intense systemic inflammation, a state which does not seem to be reflected by the elevation of a single cytokine or the activation at a single cell system and which is correlated with marked weight loss.