Comparative Proliferation Capacity of Gag-C-Specific Naive and Memory CD4+ and CD8+ T Lymphocytes in Rapid, Viremic Slow, and Slow Progressors During Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

摘要

The exact cause of altered dynamics in T cells compartment during HIV infection remains elusive to date. In this longitudinal study, the proliferation frequency of different T cell subsets was investigated in untreated HIV-1-infected Indian individuals stratified as rapid (R), viremic slow (VS), slow (S) progressors, and healthy controls. Ten healthy and 20 treatment-naive HIV-1-infected individuals were enrolled. Expression of Ki67 nuclear antigen was examined on HIV-specific T cell subsets in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Upon stimulation with HIV-1 Gag-C peptide pools, effector memory (EM) CD4 T cells (R vs. S, EM CD4, p p < 0.05). The findings suggest altered dynamics of different CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets in R, VS, and S progressors. The increase in CM T cell proliferation in VS and S progressors could be attributed to slower progression of the HIV infection. Hence, treatment strategies must be focused on restoring the homeostatic balance to restore T cell functionality.