Enhanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-specific immunity may be required for HIV eradication. Administration of autologous, ex vivo expanded, virus-specific, cytotoxic T-lymphocytes derived from HIV-infected patients on suppressive antiretroviral therapy (HXTCs) are a powerful tool for proof-of-concept studies. Broadly specific, polyclonal HXTCs resulting from ex vivo expansion demonstrated improved control of autologous reservoir virus compared to bulk CD8(+) T cells in viral inhibition assays. Furthermore, patient-derived HXTCs were able to clear latently infected autologous resting CD4(+) T cells following exposure to the latency-reversing agent, vorinostat. HXTCs will be ideal reagents to administer with precise control in future in vivo studies in combination with latency-reversing agents.
Keywords: HIV T cells; HIV cure; HIV eradication; HIV immunology; adoptive T-cell therapy; ex vivo expanded T cells; latent reservoir; vorinostat.
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