A subset of functional effector-memory CD8+ T lymphocytes in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients.
CD8(+) T cells provide protective immune responses via both cytolytic and non-cytolytic mechanisms in subjects infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In the present study, we investigated the CD28 expression of CD8(+) T cells present in the peripheral blood lymphocyte subset isolated from chronically HIV-infected subjects. Using flow cytometric analysis, a continuous spectrum of CD28 intensity ranging from negative to high, which could be separated into CD28-negative, intermediate (int) and high, was seen for CD8(+) T cells. Our study focused mostly on the CD28(int) CD8(+) T cells. The CD28(int) CD8(+) T cells are CD57(-) CD27(+) CD45RO(+) CD45RA(-) CCR7(low) CD62L(int). The proliferative capacity of CD28(int) CD8(+) T cells was intermediate between those of CD28(-) CD8(+) T cells and CD28(high) CD8(+) T cells. The CD28(int) CD8(+) T cells are specific for HIV, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antigens as measured by human leucocyte antigen pentamer binding and produce both intracellular interferon-gamma and tumour necrosis factor-alpha in response to their cognate viral peptides. The CD28(int) CD8(+) T cells have HIV-specific, CMV-specific and EBV-specific cytotoxic activity in response to their cognate viral peptides. These findings indicate that a subset of functional effector-memory CD8(+) T cells specific for HIV, CMV and EBV antigens may contribute to an efficient immune response in HIV-infected subjects.
Decrion
Anne-Zélie
AZ
Department of Virology, Franche-Comte School of Medicine, Besançon, France.
Varin
Audrey
A
Drobacheff
Christine
C
Estavoyer
Jean-Marie
JM
Herbein
Georges
G
D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000097:blood; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis
D018106:CD28 Antigens; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma