Correlation between Serum CD4+ T Lymphocyte Counts and Expression of Interleukin-6, Interleukin-10, and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α in Placenta of Pregnant Women with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection during pregnancy remains a primary global health concern despite efforts to reduce vertical transmission. In pregnant women receiving combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), increased CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts have been linked to changes in proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), which are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between maternal CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts and placental expression of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α in HIV-infected pregnant women treated with cART. Methods: This cross-sectional analytic observational study involved term pregnant women with HIV infection who had received cART for at least six months. Maternal CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts were assessed before delivery, and placental expression of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α was evaluated using immunohistochemical staining. Results: A total of 49 term pregnant women with HIV infection participated in the study. The mean maternal age was 27.35 ± 4.136 years, and most were classified as WHO stage I HIV/AIDS (65.3%). Maternal CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts showed a strong, statistically significant negative correlation with placental expression of IL-6 (r = -0.736; p = 0.001) and TNF-α (r = -0.765; p = 0.001). Conversely, a strong positive correlation was observed between CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts and IL-10 expression (r = 0.723; p = 0.001). Conclusion: The study demonstrated significant correlations between maternal CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts and the expression of placental cytokines IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α in HIV-infected pregnant women undergoing cART treatment, highlighting the complex interplay of immune markers in the maternal-fetal interface during HIV infection.