title: CD4+CD25+CD127 regulatory cells play multiple roles in maintaining HIV-1 p24 production in patients on long-term treatment: HIV-1 p24-producing cells and suppression of anti-HIV immunity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A major question when attempting to eradicate and treat HIV-1 infection is how to reactivate latent proviruses. Stimulating HIV-1-specific cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) has been shown to facilitate the elimination of the latent viral reservoir after viral reactivation. Regulatory T (Treg) cells are known to be capable of lowering both HIV-specific immunoreactions and general immune activation during HIV-1 infection. It was hypothesized that the depletion of Treg cells could increase the HIV-1-specific cytolytic T lymphocyte response and reactivate HIV-1 p24 production.
  
  
  METHODS
  Treg cells were isolated by isolation kit according to the surface marker of Treg cells. Real-time PCR method was used to quantify HIV-1 DNA. P24 antigens in the cell culture supernatant was done by ELISA. Cells activation and HIV specific HIV-1 CD8+ T cells were analyses using a FACSCalibur flow cytometer and CELLQUEST software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study included both HIV-infected patients who were antiviral treatment-naïve and patients with sustained viral responses to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for 1 or 5 years. It was found that the HIV-DNA levels in Treg cells were approximately 10-fold higher than those in non-Treg CD4+ cells and that the depletion of Treg cells could enhance the frequency of HIV-1-specific CTL and immune activation after 5 years of effective ART.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CD4+CD25+CD127 regulatory cells play multiple roles in maintaining HIV-1 p24 production in long-term ART patients. Treg cells may be a target for eliminating the latent HIV reservoir after effective long-term ART.
authors.affiliation: Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
authors.forename: Yan-Mei
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Jiao
authors.affiliation: Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
authors.forename: Cui-E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
authors.forename: Li-Jing
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens and AIDS Research Center, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Wei-Jun
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
authors.forename: Tong
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Li-Guo
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, UNC School of Medicine, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Li-Shan
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China. Electronic address: lihongjun00113@126.com.
authors.forename: Hong-Jun
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China. Electronic address: whdoc900@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24 / Q000276:immunology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000276:immunology; D053699:Interleukin-7 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D053699:Interleukin-7 Receptor alpha Subunit
keywords: ART; Latent HIV; Treg