Altered EBV viral load setpoint after HIV seroconversion is in accordance with lack of predictive value of EBV load for the occurrence of AIDS-related non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
In contrast to the situation in the post-transplant setting, in HIV-infected individuals an elevated EBV load is not predictive of EBV-related malignancies. To study whether a high EBV load is already a normal situation early in HIV infection and is not related to a decrease in immune function over time, we investigated EBV load and EBV-specific CD8(+) T cells approximately 1 year before and 1 year after HIV seroconversion. EBV load significantly increased after HIV seroconversion from 205 to 1002 copies/10(6) PBMC (p < 0.001), whereas no further increase in EBV load was observed between 1 and 5 years after HIV seroconversion (median, 1827-2478 copies/10(6) PBMC; p = 0.530). Interestingly, the absolute number of EBV lytic epitope, RAKFKQLL-specific CD8(+) T cells increased over HIV seroconversion (4.78 to 9.54/ micro l; p = 0.011). Furthermore, the fraction of CD27-negative effector, RAK-specific CD8(+) T cells tended to increase (from 12.2 to 17.31% CD27(-); p = 0.051), in accordance with Ag-driven differentiation. In conclusion, both virological and immunological data support the idea that a new EBV viral setpoint is reached early in HIV infection, probably by EBV reactivation, as suggested by the preferential increase in EBV lytic epitope-specific CD8(+) T cells. These data may thus help to explain the lack of predictive value of EBV load for the occurrence of AIDS-related lymphoma.
Piriou
Erwan R
ER
Department of Clinical Viro-Immunology, Sanquin Research at CLB and Landsteiner Laboratory. Department of Human Retrovirology and Department of Hematology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
van Dort
Karel
K
Nanlohy
Nening M
NM
Miedema
Frank
F
van Oers
Marinus H
MH
van Baarle
Debbie
D
D000328:Adult; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000821:virology*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016483:Lymphoma, AIDS-Related / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019562:Viral Load
D007371:Interferon-gamma