Cutting Edge: T Regulatory Cell Depletion Reactivates Latent Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) in Controller Macaques While Boosting SIV-Specific T Lymphocytes.

ABSTRACT: T regulatory cells (Tregs) are critical in shaping the latent HIV/SIV reservoir, as they are preferentially infected, reverse CD4⁺ T cell activation status, and suppress CTL responses. To reactivate latent virus and boost cell-mediated immune responses, we performed in vivo Treg depletion with Ontak (denileukin diftitox) in two SIVsab-infected controller macaques. Ontak induced significant (>75%) Treg depletion and major CD4⁺ T cell activation, and only minimally depleted CD8⁺ T cells. The overall ability of Tregs to control immune responses was significantly impaired despite their incomplete depletion, resulting in both reactivation of latent virus (virus rebound to 10³ viral RNA copies/ml plasma in the absence of antiretroviral therapy) and a s

SUBMITTER: He T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5441309 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature