The Role of Cytokines and Cellular Receptors in the TuberculosisAssociated Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is the most prevalent opportunistic infection in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the major reason for morbidity and mortality. In this review, we focus on pathological immune restoration in AIDS patients after antiretroviral therapies (ART) initiation. This manuscript discusses the importance of T cell immunity for antigen-specific immune reconstitution and the production of cytokines, which are divided into 2 subgroups: interferons (IFN), and interleukins (IL). We overview the role they play in connection between innate and adaptive immunity during immune restoration. We describe how hypercytokinemia produced by innate and adaptive immune cells, leads to the manifestations of tuberculosisassociated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (TB-IRIS) in AIDS patients during the recovery of CD4+ T cells on ART. We conclude with a brief synopsis of treatment approaches.