Presence of human immunodeficiency virus-1-specific CD4 and CD8 cellular immune responses in children with full or partial virus suppression

J Infect Dis. 2003 Sep 15;188(6):873-82. doi: 10.1086/377645. Epub 2003 Sep 4.

Abstract

The present study assessed antiviral T cell immune responses in 48 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children with a stable or decreasing CD4(+) T cell counts and different levels of viral control, in the presence or absence of antiretroviral therapy. Children with full (<40 copies/mL) or partial (<50,000 copies/mL) virus suppression and with a history of stable CD4(+) T cell counts had significantly increased levels of anti-HIV CD4(+) T cell lymphoproliferative responses, lower levels of CD38(+), and higher CD8(+)/CD28(+) T cell percentage, compared with those in treated children with a lack of virus suppression (>50,000 copies/mL). Levels of anti-HIV CD8(+) T cell activity, although higher in treated children with a lack of virus suppression, were not significantly different between the groups. Although levels of anti-HIV CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell responses were not associated, these levels of responses were associated with the percentage of specific T cell subsets. Overall, a history of stable CD4(+) T cell counts, as a result of therapy that imparted full or partial virus suppression, was associated with increased levels of anti-HIV CD4(+) T helper responses and decreased T cell activation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Child
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Infections / virology*
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Memory
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Lymphocyte Activation*
  • RNA, Viral / blood
  • Viral Load

Substances

  • RNA, Viral