[Abnormal changes of CD28 expression on CD4 + T cells in treatment-näive and highly active antiretroviral therapy-treated HIV/AIDS patients].
OBJECTIVE
To study the alteration of the expression of CD28 on CD4 + T cells in HIV/AIDS patients and observe the dynamics of CD28 expression under highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).


METHODS
The expression of CD28 on CD4 + T cells, CD4 counts, and plasma viral load were measured by flow cytometry and bDNA assays in 278 treatment-naïve HIV/AIDS patients and 56 healthy controls. In addition, the evolution of these parameters was assessed in 59 patients who initiated HAART and were followed for 12 months in regular 3-month visits.


RESULTS
The median level of CD28 on CD4 + T cells decreased dramatically in treatment-naïve HIV-positive individuals than in HIV-negative controls (P <0.001). The expression rate of CD28 molecule was positively correlated with CD4 counts (r = 0.484, P < 0.001), and negatively correlated with plasma viral load (r = -0.300, P <0.001). In patients who had received one month of standard HAART, the level of CD28 on CD4 + T cells increased rapidly from 75.0% to 90.0% (P < 0.001). Moreover, there was a negative correlation between the median CD28 expression and the median viral load (r = - 0.829, P = 0.042).


CONCLUSIONS
The level of CD28 expression on CD4 + T cells is down-regulated in treatment-naïve HIV/AIDS patients. HAART can successfully restore the lymphocyte subsets of CD4 + CD28 + T cells. The up-regulation of CD28 expression after HAART may be closely correlated with the suppression of the viral replication.
Xie
Jing
J
Department of Infectious Diseases, PUMC Hospital, CAMS and PUMC, Beijing 100730, China.
Han
Yang
Y
Li
Tai-sheng
TS
Qiu
Zhi-feng
ZF
Zuo
Ling-yan
LY
Li
Yan-ling
YL
Wang
Ai-xia
AX
D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019562:Viral Load
D018106:CD28 Antigens