Comparison between HIV- and CMV-specific T cell responses in long-term HIV infected donors.
PAPAGNO, L. *; APPAY, V. *; SUTTON, J. *; ROSTRON, T. *; GILLESPIE, G. M. A. *; OGG, G. S. *; KING, A. *; MAKADZANHGE, A. T. *; WATERS, A. +; BALOTTA, C. ++; VYAKARNAM, A. +; EASTERBROOK, P. J. +; ROWLAND-JONES, S. L. *
[Article] Clinical & Experimental Immunology. 130(3):509-517, December 2002.

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SUMMARY: The mechanisms underlying non-progression in HIV-1 infection are not well understood; however, this state has been associated previously with strong HIV-1-specific CD8 T cell responses and the preservation of proliferative CD4 T cell responses to HIV-1 antigens. Using a combination of interferon-gamma (IFN-[gamma]) ELISpot assays and tetramer staining, the HIV-1-specific CD8 T cell populations were quantified and characterized in untreated long-term HIV-1-infected non-progressors and individuals with slowly progressive disease, both in relation to CD4 T cell responses, and in comparison with responses to cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigens. High levels of CD8 T cell responses specific for HIV-1 or CMV were observed, but neither their frequency nor their phenotype seemed to differ between the two patient groups. Moreover, while CMV-specific CD4 T cell responses were preserved in these donors, IFN-[gamma] release by HIV-1-specific CD4 T cells was generally low. These data raise questions with regard to the role played by CD8 T cells in the establishment and maintenance of long-term non-progression.

(C) 2002 Blackwell Science Ltd.