Influence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected Maternal Environment on Development of Infant Interleukin‐12 Production

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Abstract
Monocyte-derived cytokine production by cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) from infants born to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)—positive and —negative women was measured to determine whether monocyte dysfunction could contribute to the accelerated HIV disease of pediatric patients. Production of interleukin (IL)—12, but not that of tumor necrosis factor—α and IL-10, was reduced, compared with adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). This deficiency was more pronounced in infants of HIV-positive women, whose IL-12 production was also deficient. CBMC IL-12 levels were increased by interferon-γ and CD40 ligand but remained deficient, compared with PBMC. IL-12 production was undetectable in 7 of 8 HIV-positive infants, in contrast to 21 of 26 uninfected infants. Uninfected infants of infected women exhibited an intermediate profile. These findings suggest that the maternal environment and/or exposure in utero to HIV products influence the newborn's immune response and that the differences between infants born to HIV-positive and -negative women may persist.

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