Increased frequency of circulating Tc22/Th22 cells and polyfunctional CD38(-) T cells in HIV-exposed uninfected subjects.
Some individuals are resistant to HIV-1 infection despite repeated exposure to the virus, suggesting the presence of a complex antiviral response. Innate factors like IL-22 exert gut mucosal protection and polyfunctional T cells have been associated with low progression in HIV infection; therefore, we evaluated the frequencies of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell-secreting cytokines, including Tc22/Th22 cells and polyfunctional T cells in HIV-1-exposed uninfected individuals (EUs), their HIV-1-infected partners and healthy controls. EUs exhibited an increased frequency of p15 Gag CD4+ IL-22+ secreting T cells, whereas HIV-infected partners demonstrated a high frequency of CD4+ IL-17+ T cells in response to p24. Similar responses of Th22 and Tc22 cells to Gag peptides and Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) stimulation were detected in the serodiscordant couples. However, polyfunctionality in HIV subjects was associated with an HIV Gag response of CD38+ T cells, whereas polyfunctionality for EUs was induced upon SEB stimulation by CD38- T cells. EUs demonstrated the presence of Tc22/Th22 cells and polyfunctional CD38- T cells with a low activation profile. These data suggest that SEB-induced polyfunctional CD4+ and CD8+ T cells together with Tc22/Th22 cells in EU individuals can provide an immunological advantage in the response to pathogens such as HIV-1.
Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies, LIM-56, Department of Dermatology, Tropical Medicine Institute of São Paulo, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Luanda M S
LM
Oliveira
Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies, LIM-56, Department of Dermatology, Tropical Medicine Institute of São Paulo, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Josenilson F
JF
Lima
Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies, LIM-56, Department of Dermatology, Tropical Medicine Institute of São Paulo, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Cesar A C
CA
Cervantes
Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies, LIM-56, Department of Dermatology, Tropical Medicine Institute of São Paulo, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.|Ambulatory Service of the Secondary Immunodeficiency Clinic of the Clinical Hospital, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
Jorge S
JS
Casseb
Emílio Ribas Infectious Diseases Institute in São Paulo, Brazil.
Marcelo
M
Mendonça
Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies, LIM-56, Department of Dermatology, Tropical Medicine Institute of São Paulo, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Alberto J S
AJ
Duarte
Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies, LIM-56, Department of Dermatology, Tropical Medicine Institute of São Paulo, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Maria N
MN
Sato
D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D054301:gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines; D054301:gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1