Inverse Correlation between Memory Gag-Specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes and Viral Replication in Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected Children

• Published in: The Journal of infectious diseases 2002-12, Vol.186 (11), p.1589-1596
• Main Authors: Buseyne, Florence, Le Chenadec, Jérôme, Corre, Béatrice, Porrot, Françoise, Burgard, Marianne, Rouzioux, Christine, Blanche, Stéphane, Mayaux, Marie-Jeanne, Rivière, Yves
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; AIDS; Biological and medical sciences; CD4 Lymphocyte Count; Child; Child, Preschool; Correlations; Gene Products, gag - immunology; HIV; HIV 1; HIV infections; HIV Infections - immunology; HIV Infections - virology; HIV-1 - immunology; Human viral diseases; Humans; Immunologic Memory - immunology; Infections; Infectious diseases; Lymphocytes; Medical sciences; Memory; RNA, Viral - blood; T lymphocytes; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic - immunology; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids; Viral Load; Virus Replication; Viruses
• ISSN: 0022-1899; 1537-6613
• DOI: 10.1086/345482

A previous study showed that, during the first year of life, the presence of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected children is associated with a lack of rapid progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The goal of the study was to address the role of CTLs in children who survived after age 5 years. Memory HIV-specific CTLs directed against Env, Gag, Nef, and Pol proteins were measured in a group of 47 highly active antiretroviral therapy–naive HIV-infected children. Both Gag- and Pol-specific CTLs were positively correlated with CD4+ T cell counts. Gag-, Nef-, and Pol-specific CTLs were inversely correlated with virus load. The inverse correlation between virus load and Gag-specific CTLs was independent of CD4+ T cell counts. In conclusion, this study showed the beneficial role of HIV-specific CTLs in children who survived after age 5 years