Persistent expansion and Th1-like skewing of HIV-specific circulating T follicular helper cells during antiretroviral therapy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Untreated HIV infection leads to alterations in HIV-specific CD4⁺ T cells including increased expression of co-inhibitory receptors (IRs) and skewing toward a T follicular helper cell (Tfh) signature. However, which changes are maintained after suppression of viral replication with antiretroviral therapy (ART) is poorly known.

Methods

We analyzed blood CD4⁺ T cells specific to HIV and comparative viral antigens in ART-treated people using a cytokine-independent activation-induced marker assay alone or in combination with functional readouts.

Findings

In intra-individual comparisons, HIV-specific CD4⁺ T cells were characterized by a larger fraction of circulating Tfh (cTfh) cells than CMV- and HBV-specific cells and preferent

SUBMITTER: Niessl J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7136607 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature