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BackgroundData regarding the influences of gender in metabolic syndrome (MetS) among patients using antiretroviral treatment (ART) in Ethiopia is scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the influences of gender in MetS and its components among HIV-infected patients receiving ART.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted between February 2012 and April 2013. Data on demographic, clinical and anthropometric characteristics were collected from 185 HIV patients using ART. Glucose and lipid profiles were measured from overnight fast blood. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and United States national cholesterol education program: adult treatment (US NCEP-ATP) panel III criteria were used to define MetS.ResultA total number of 185 (36.8 % males and 63.2 % females) participants were recruited in this study. The overall prevalence of MetS was 24.3 and 17.8 %, diagnosed using IDF and NCEP-ATP criteria respectively. Using IDF criteria, MetS was significantly higher in females compared to males (33.3 vs. 8.8 %; p = <0.0001) respectively. Low HDL-c and central obesity were significantly higher MetS components in female compared to males (p = 0.003); and (p = <0.0001, using IDF and NCEP-ATP criteria) respectively. BMI >25 kg/m2 was significantly associated with MetS in both IDF and NCEP-ATP criteria: unadjusted (UOR) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95 % CI were 3.0 (1.3–6.5) and 3.8 (1.5–9.8); as well as 3.2 (1.4–7.4) and 3.4 (1.4–7.4) respectively. Furthermore age >40 years was significantly associated with MetS using NCEP-ATP: UOR and AOR (95 % CI) were 3.1 (1.2–8.3), and 3.8 (1–13.70) respectively.ConclusionComprehensive medical care approach including with MetS components are a crucial instruments in order to minimize the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases in HIV-infected patients using ART.

Dendritic cells (DCs) facilitate cross talk between the innate and adaptive immune system. They sense and phagocytose invading pathogens, and are not only capable of activating naïve T cells, but can also determine the polarization of T cell responses into different effector subtypes. Polarized T cells in turn have a crucial role in antibody class switching and affinity maturation, and consequently the quality of the resulting humoral immunity. Targeting vaccines to DCs thus provides a great deal of opportunities for influencing the humoral immune responses, by fine-tuning the T cell response as well as regulating antigen availability for B cells. In this review we aim to outline how different DC targeted vaccination strategies can be utilized to induce a desired humoral immune response. A range of factors, including route of vaccine administration, use of adjuvants, choice of DC subset and surface receptor to target have been reported to influence the resulting immune response and will be reviewed herein. Finally, we will discuss opportunities for designing improved vaccines and challenges with translating this knowledge into clinical or veterinary medicine.

Targeting Ag to surface receptors on conventional type 1 dendritic cells can enhance induction of Ab and T cell responses. However, it is unclear to what extent the targeted receptor influences the resulting responses. In this study, we target Ag to Xcr1, Clec9A, or DEC-205, surface receptors that are expressed on conventional type 1 dendritic cells, and compare immune responses in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice in vitro and in vivo after intradermal DNA vaccination. Targeting hemagglutinin from influenza A to Clec9A induced Ab responses with higher avidity that more efficiently neutralized influenza virus compared with Xcr1 and DEC-205 targeting. In contrast, targeting Xcr1 resulted in higher IFN-g + CD8 + T cell responses in spleen and lung and stronger cytotoxicity. Both Clec9A and Xcr1 targeting induced Th1-polarized Ab responses, although the Th1 polarization of CD4 + T cells was more pronounced after Xcr1 targeting. Targeting DEC-205 resulted in poor Ab responses in BALB/c mice and a more mixed Th response. In an influenza challenge model, targeting either Xcr1 or Clec9A induced full and long-term protection against influenza infection, whereas only partial short-term protection was obtained when targeting DEC-205. In summary, the choice of targeting receptor, even on the same dendritic cell subpopulation, may strongly influence the resulting immune response, suggesting that different targeting strategies should be considered depending on the pathogen.