Functional T cell subsets contribute differentially to HIV peptide-specific responses within infected individuals: correlation of these functional T cell subsets with markers of disease progression

Clin Immunol. 2007 Jul;124(1):57-68. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2007.04.004. Epub 2007 May 22.

Abstract

Using a dual color ELISPOT assay able to detect HIV-specific IFN-gamma, IL-2 and dual IFN-gamma/IL-2 secreting lymphocytes we screened for HIV peptide-specific responses directed against the entire HIV proteome in two groups of untreated HIV-infected individuals, slow progressors (SP) and progressors. We found that the three functional lymphocyte subsets contributed differentially to individual HIV peptide-specific responses within a study subject. Among the identified stimulatory peptides, a higher proportion induced dual IFN-gamma/IL-2 secretion in SP than progressors. While the magnitude of single IFN-gamma secreting lymphocytes is similar between groups, the magnitude of peptide-specific dual IFN-gamma/IL-2 secreting lymphocytes is significantly more intense in SP. Neither single nor total IFN-gamma secreting cell magnitude and breadth measurements correlated with CD4 cell count or viral load whereas both parameters of dual IFN-gamma/IL-2 secreting responses correlated positively with CD4 counts and negatively with viremia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Viral / immunology
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chronic Disease
  • Disease Progression
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • HIV / immunology*
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV Long-Term Survivors
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / immunology*
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Interleukin-2 / immunology*
  • Interleukin-2 / metabolism
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Peptides / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology
  • Viral Load

Substances

  • Antigens, Viral
  • Interleukin-2
  • Peptides
  • Interferon-gamma