title: Gag-specific CD4+ T-cell frequency is inversely correlated with proviral load and directly correlated with immune activation in infection with human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) but not HIV-1.
abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) infection, unlike HIV-1 infection, is normally characterized by low rates of CD4 depletion and low-to-undetectable viremia. We found that the frequency of Gag-specific CD4(+) T cells featured positive correlations with the expression of markers of CD4 activation and a negative correlation with peripheral blood mononuclear cell-associated proviral load in infection with HIV-2, in contrast with HIV-1. Moreover, HIV-2-infected individuals exhibited a greater ability to respond to HIV-1 Gag peptides (heterologous responses). Our data suggest a potential link between HIV-2-specific CD4 responses, immune activation, and viral control, which may in turn relate to the better prognosis associated with HIV-2 infection.
authors.affiliation: Unidade de Imunologia Clínica, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Russell B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Foxall
authors.forename: Catarina S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Cortesão
authors.forename: Adriana S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Albuquerque
authors.forename: Rui S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.forename: Rui M M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Victorino
authors.forename: Ana E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Sousa
mesh_terms: D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000378:metabolism*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015498:HIV-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000821:virology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D011379:Prognosis; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D015683:Gene Products, gag