Preserved immune functionality and high CMV-specific T-cell responses in HIV-infected individuals with poor CD4+ T-cell immune recovery

Sci Rep. 2017 Sep 15;7(1):11711. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-12013-2.

Abstract

Poor CD4+ T-cell recovery after cART has been associated with skewed T-cell maturation, inflammation and immunosenescence; however, T-cell functionality in those individuals has not been fully characterized. In the present study, we assessed T-cell function by assessing cytokine production after polyclonal, CMV and HIV stimulations of T-cells from ART-suppressed HIV-infected individuals with CD4+ T-cell counts >350 cells/μL (immunoconcordants) or <350 cells/μL (immunodiscordants). A group of HIV-uninfected individuals were also included as controls. Since CMV co-infection significantly affected T-cell maturation and polyfunctionality, only CMV+ individuals were analyzed. Despite their reduced and skewed CD4+ T-cell compartment, immunodiscordant individuals showed preserved polyclonal and HIV-specific responses. However, CMV response in immunodiscordant participants was significantly different from immunoconcordant or HIV-seronegative individuals. In immunodiscordant subjects, the magnitude of IFN-γ+ CD8+ and IL-2+ CD4+ T-cells in response to CMV was higher and differently associated with the CD4+ T-cell maturation profile., showing an increased frequency of naïve, central memory and EMRA CMV-specific CD4+ T-cells. In conclusion, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell polyfunctionality was not reduced in immunodiscordant individuals, although heightened CMV-specific immune responses, likely related to subclinical CMV reactivations, may be contributing to the skewed T-cell maturation and the higher risk of clinical progression observed in those individuals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Coinfection
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / immunology*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immune Reconstitution*
  • Ionomycin / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / pharmacology

Substances

  • Anti-Retroviral Agents
  • Ionomycin
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate