title: Immunological analysis of treatment interruption after early highly active antiretroviral therapy.
abstract: We longitudinally evaluated HIV-specific T-cell immunity after discontinuation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). After treatment interruption (TI), some individuals could maintain a low plasma viral load (<15,000 copies/mL), whereas others could not (>50,000 copies/mL). Before HAART was initiated, plasma viral load was similar. After TI, the numbers of CD8(+) T cells increased more in individuals without viral control, whereas individuals maintaining a low viral load showed a more pronounced increase in HIV-specific CD8(+) T-cell numbers. No differences were seen in the number or percentage of cytokine-producing HIV-1-specific CD4(+) T cells, or in proliferative capacity of T cells. Four weeks after TI, the magnitude of the total HIV-1-specific CD8(+) T-cell response (IFN-γ(+) and/or IL-2(+) and/or CD107a(+)) was significantly higher in individuals maintaining viral control. Degranulation contributed more to the overall CD8(+) T-cell response than cytokine production. Whether increased T-cell functionality is a cause or consequence of low viral load remains to be elucidated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ingrid M M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Schellens
authors.forename: Katalin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pogany
authors.forename: Geertje H A
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Westerlaken
authors.forename: José A M
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Borghans
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Miedema
authors.forename: Irene G M
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: van Valkengoed
authors.forename: Frank P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Kroon
authors.forename: Joep M A
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lange
authors.forename: Kees
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brinkman
authors.forename: Jan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Prins
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: van Baarle
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008875:Middle Aged; D019562:Viral Load; D028761:Withholding Treatment; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008222:Lymphokines