HIV-specific cellular immune response is inversely correlated with disease progression as defined by decline of CD4+ T cells in relation to HIV RNA load.
The average time between infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and development of acquired immune deficiency syndrome is approximately 8 years. However, progression rates vary widely, depending on several determinants, including HIV-specific immunity, host genetic factors, and virulence of the infecting strain. In untreated HIV-infected patients with different progression rates, we examined HIV-specific T cell responses in combination with host genetic markers, such as chemokine/chemokine-receptor (CCR) polymorphisms and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotypes. HIV-specific CD4(+) T cell responses and, to a lesser extent, HIV-specific CD8(+) T cell responses were inversely correlated with progression rate. Slower progression was not related to polymorphisms in CCR genes, HLA genotype, or GB virus C coinfection. These data suggest that HIV-specific T cell responses are involved in protecting the host from disease progression.
Oxenius
Annette
A
Institute for Microbiology, Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. oxenius@micro.biol.ethz.ch.
Price
David A
DA
Hersberger
Martin
M
Schlaepfer
Erika
E
Weber
Rainer
R
Weber
Markus
M
Kundig
Thomas M
TM
Böni
Jürg
J
Joller
Helen
H
Phillips
Rodney E
RE
Flepp
Markus
M
Opravil
Milos
M
Speck
Roberto F
RF
D000328:Adult; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D018178:Flaviviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology; D029407:GB virus C / Q000276:immunology; D006678:HIV / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D019562:Viral Load
D006680:HLA Antigens; D012367:RNA, Viral; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine