Mucosal and Systemic ??+ T Cells Associated with Control of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection.

ABSTRACT: ?? T cells act as a first line of defense against invading pathogens. However, despite their abundance in mucosal tissue, little information is available about their functionality in this compartment in the context of HIV/SIV infection. In this study, we evaluated the frequency, phenotype, and functionality of V?1 and V?2 T cells from blood, rectum, and the female reproductive tract (FRT) of rhesus macaques to determine whether these cells contribute to control of SIV infection. No alteration in the peripheral V?1/V?2 ratio in SIV-infected macaques was observed. However, CD8+ and CD4+CD8+ V?1 T cells were expanded along with upregulation of NKG2D, CD107, and granzyme B, suggesting cytotoxic function. In contrast, V?2 T cells showed a reduced ability to produce the inflammatory cytokine IFN-?. In the FRT of SIV+ macaques, V?1 and V?2 showed comparable levels across vaginal, ectocervical, and endocervical tissues; however, endocervical V?2 T cells showed higher inflammatory profiles than the two other regions. No sex difference was seen in the rectal V?1/V?2 ratio. Several peripheral V?1 and/or V?2 T cell subpopulations expressing IFN-? and/or NKG2D were positively correlated with decreased plasma viremia. Notably, V?2 CD8+ T cells of the endocervix were negatively correlated with chronic viremia. Overall, our results suggest that a robust V?1 and V?2 T cell response in blood and the FRT of SIV-infected macaques contribute to control of viremia.

SUBMITTER: Tuero I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5136305 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature