Comprehensive analysis of frequency and phenotype of T regulatory cells in HIV infection: CD39 expression of FoxP3+ T regulatory cells correlates with progressive disease.

ABSTRACT: There are conflicting data about the frequency and role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) during the course of HIV infection. Peripheral blood of a large cohort of HIV-infected patients (n = 131) at different stages of disease, including 15 long-term nonprogressors and 21 elite controllers, was analyzed to determine the frequency and phenotype of Tregs, defined as CD4(+), CD25(high), CD127(low), FoxP3(high) cells. A significantly increased relative frequency of Tregs within the CD4(+) compartment of HIV(+) patients compared to that of healthy controls (P < 0.0001) was observed. Additionally, the relative frequency of Tregs directly correlated with HIV viral load and inversely with CD4(+) counts. However, the absolute Treg number was reduced in HIV-infected patients versus healthy controls (P <

SUBMITTER: Schulze Zur Wiesch J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3020516 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature