Programmed death-1 expression on HIV-1-specific CD8+ T cells is shaped by epitope specificity T-cell receptor clonotype usage and antigen load

摘要

Objectives:Although CD8⁺ T cells play a critical role in the control of HIV-1 infection, their antiviral efficacy can be limited by antigenic variation and immune exhaustion. The latter phenomenon is characterized by the upregulation of multiple inhibitory receptors, such as programmed death-1 (PD-1), CD244 and lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3), which modulate the functional capabilities of CD8⁺ T cells.