Table 2 Current knowledge on lipopolysaccharides and HIV-infection

1) Plasma values of LPS reflect microbial translocation

Jiang et al. [10], Ancuta et al. [7], Brenchley et al [2].

2) LPS is a marker of cellular activation, and probably of T-cell activation

Hunt et al. [13], Jiang et al. [10]

3) Plasma values of LPS in HIV-infected patients derive from gut modification, which is largely dependent on mucosal cytokines

Epple et al. [8]

4) LPS levels generally decrease after initiation of cART, but rarely to the same values as in healthy subjects

Jiang et al. [10], Baroncelli et al. [6]

Aspects of LPS that remain to be explained

1) Is microbial translocation a cause or a consequence of cellular activation?

2) Is gut disruption completely reversible after initiating cART?

3) Does LPS play a key role in virologically controlled patients with blunted CD4 cell gain?