Functional T cell subsets contribute differentially to HIV peptide-specific responses within infected individuals: correlation of these functional T cell subsets with markers of disease progression.
Using a dual color ELISPOT assay able to detect HIV-specific IFN-gamma, IL-2 and dual IFN-gamma/IL-2 secreting lymphocytes we screened for HIV peptide-specific responses directed against the entire HIV proteome in two groups of untreated HIV-infected individuals, slow progressors (SP) and progressors. We found that the three functional lymphocyte subsets contributed differentially to individual HIV peptide-specific responses within a study subject. Among the identified stimulatory peptides, a higher proportion induced dual IFN-gamma/IL-2 secretion in SP than progressors. While the magnitude of single IFN-gamma secreting lymphocytes is similar between groups, the magnitude of peptide-specific dual IFN-gamma/IL-2 secreting lymphocytes is significantly more intense in SP. Neither single nor total IFN-gamma secreting cell magnitude and breadth measurements correlated with CD4 cell count or viral load whereas both parameters of dual IFN-gamma/IL-2 secreting responses correlated positively with CD4 counts and negatively with viremia.
Peretz
Yoav
Y
Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Ndongala
Michel L
ML
Boulet
Salix
S
Boulassel
Mohamed R
MR
Rouleau
Danielle
D
Côté
Pierre
P
Longpré
Danièle
D
Routy
Jean-Pierre
JP
Falutz
Julian
J
Tremblay
Cécile
C
Tsoukas
Christos M
CM
Sékaly
Rafick P
RP
Bernard
Nicole F
NF
D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018450:Disease Progression; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D020276:HIV Long-Term Survivors; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D019562:Viral Load
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D007376:Interleukin-2; D010455:Peptides; D007371:Interferon-gamma