Central memory CD4+ T cell responses in chronic HIV infection are not restored by antiretroviral therapy.
A strong CD4(+) T cell response has been correlated with better control of HIV infection. However, the effect of HIV on the maintenance of Ag-specific memory CD4(+) T cells is not fully understood. We characterized the function and phenotype of memory CD4(+) T cells generated by mumps and influenza A or B viruses in HIV-infected individuals receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (n = 21), HIV-infected long-term nonprogressors (n = 10), and HIV-seronegative volunteers (n = 10). We observed significantly decreased proliferation of the Ag-specific central memory CD4(+) T cell population (CD28(+)/CCR7(+)/CD45RA(-)) in the antiretroviral treated HIV-infected individuals compared with the seronegative controls. Restored CD4(+) T cell count and decreased HIV viral load while on highly active antiretroviral therapy did not result in increased proliferation, whereas nadir CD4(+) T cell count predicted the presence of Ag-specific proliferation. Our results indicate that HIV infection leads to impaired maintenance of virus-induced or vaccine-generated central memory CD4(+) T cells that is not restored by HAART.
Elrefaei
Mohamed
M
California Department of Health Services, Richmond, CA 94804, USA. melrefae@dhs.ca.gov
McElroy
Michael D
MD
Preas
Christopher P
CP
Hoh
Rebecca
R
Deeks
Steven
S
Martin
Jeffrey
J
Cao
Huyen
H
D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000276:immunology; D009981:Influenza B virus / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009109:Mumps virus / Q000276:immunology; D014611:Vaccination
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000956:Antigens, Viral