Cognate antigen engagement induces HIV-1 expression in latently infected CD4⁺ T cells from people on long-term antiretroviral therapy.

ABSTRACT: Despite antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-1 persists in latently infected CD4⁺ T cells, preventing a cure. Antigens drive the proliferation of infected cells, precluding latent reservoir decay. However, the relationship between antigen recognition and HIV-1 gene expression is poorly understood because most studies of latency reversal use agents that induce non-specific global T cell activation. Here, we isolated rare CD4⁺ T cells responding to cytomegalovirus (CMV) or HIV-1 Gag antigens from people living with HIV-1 on long-term ART and assessed T cell activation and HIV-1 RNA expression upon coculture with autologous dendritic cells (DCs) presenting cognate antigens. Presentation of cognate antigens ex vivo induced broad T cell activation (median 42-fold increase in

SUBMITTER: Moskovljevic M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11896817 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature