Memory B cell function in HIV-infected children-decreased memory B cells despite ART.
B cell dysfunction is a well-studied complication of HIV infection in adults. Data on B cell differentiation in normal and HIV-infected children are lacking. We show the distribution of B cell subsets and immunoglobulin levels in HIV-infected children compared with controls. Furthermore, we observe the long-term B cell reconstitution of vaccine-specific immunity after antiretroviral therapy (ART). Phenotype of B cells (naive, non-switched memory, switched memory) was analyzed in 48 infected children and 62 controls. In nine HIV-infected children, functional reconstitution was quantified by tetanus-specific antibodies and by performing a lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) in a longitudinal approach. Switched memory B cells are significantly reduced in HIV-infected children. Vaccine-specific antibodies and response to LTT increase after initiation of ART. Our data indicate a significant dysfunction in the B cell system, despite effective ART. Partial reconstitution of humoral immunity may have therapeutic implications in a subset of HIV-infected children.
Ghosh
Sujal
S
Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Feyen
Oliver
O
Jebran
Ahmad Fasel
AF
Huck
Kirsten
K
Jetzek-Zader
Martin
M
Bas
Murat
M
Niehues
Tim
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D055633:Immune System Phenomena / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood; D007156:Immunologic Memory / Q000276:immunology; D019562:Viral Load
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007136:Immunoglobulins