Spontaneous HIV expression during suppressive ART is associated with the magnitude and function of HIV-specific CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells.

ABSTRACT: Spontaneous transcription and translation of HIV can persist during suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART). The quantity, phenotype, and biological relevance of this spontaneously "active" reservoir remain unclear. Using multiplexed single-cell RNAflow-fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), we detect active HIV transcription in 14/18 people with HIV on suppressive ART, with a median of 28/million CD4⁺ T cells. While these cells predominantly exhibit abortive transcription, p24-expressing cells are evident in 39% of participants. Phenotypically diverse, active reservoirs are enriched in central memory T cells and CCR6- and activation-marker-expressing cells. The magnitude of the active reservoir positively correlates with total HIV-specific CD4⁺ and CD8⁺

SUBMITTER: Dube M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10542967 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature