HLA-G+ HIV-1-specific CD8+ T cells are associated with HIV-1 immune control

AIDS. 2017 Jan 14;31(2):207-212. doi: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000001326.

Abstract

Objective(s): To assess the frequency and function of HIV-1-specific HLA-G (histocompatibility antigen class I, G) CD8 T cells in HIV-1 controllers and progressors.

Design: We performed an observational cross-sectional cohort analysis in untreated (n = 47) and treated (n = 17) HIV-1 patients with different rates of disease progression and n = 14 healthy individuals.

Methods: We evaluated the frequency, the proportion and the function of total and virus-specific HLA-G CD8 T cells by tetramer or intracellular cytokine staining, followed by flow cytometric analysis. Cytokine secretion of sorted CD8 T-cell subsets was evaluated by Luminex assays.

Results: The proportion and the absolute frequency of HLA-G HIV-1-specific CD8 T cells were directly associated with CD4 T-cell counts and inversely correlated with viral loads, whereas total or HLA-G-negative HIV-1-specific CD8 T cells were not. In functional assays, HLA-G CD8 T cells from HIV-1-negative individuals had higher abilities to produce the antiviral (C-C chemokine receptor type 5) ligands MIP-1β (macrophage inflammatory protein-1ß), MIP-1α and Rantes.

Conclusion: HLA-G HIV-1-specific CD8 T cells may represent a previously unrecognized correlate of HIV-1 immune control.

Publication types

  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / chemistry*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Cytokines / analysis
  • Flow Cytometry
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HLA-G Antigens / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Staining and Labeling
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / chemistry*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • HLA-G Antigens