CD4(+)CD25(+/hi)CD127(lo) phenotype does not accurately identify regulatory T cells in all populations of HIV-infected persons

J Infect Dis. 2010 Feb 1;201(3):331-5. doi: 10.1086/649840.

Abstract

The most commonly used regulatory T cell (Treg) phenotypes, CD4(+)CD25(hi)CD127(lo) and CD4(+)CD25(hi)FoxP3(+), were simultaneously used to determine the Treg frequency in 2 different groups of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons, one viremic and other aviremic. As expected, a strong correlation between both Treg phenotypes was observed in the aviremic group (r = 0.913; P < .001), but surprisingly, this correlation was completely absent in the viremic group (r = 0.143; P = .572). Data on T cell activation levels of both HIV groups suggest that the CD4(+)CD25(hi)CD127(lo) phenotype could just be mirroring the elevated numbers of activated non-regulatory T cells in the viremic HIV group.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • CD4 Antigens*
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit*
  • Interleukin-7 Receptor alpha Subunit*
  • Middle Aged
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / classification*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism*
  • Viremia

Substances

  • CD4 Antigens
  • IL2RA protein, human
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit
  • Interleukin-7 Receptor alpha Subunit