TY - JOUR
T1 - Low level of regulatory T cells and maintenance of balance between regulatory T cells and TH17 cells in HIV-1-infected elite controllers
AU - Brandt, Lea
AU - Benfield, Thomas Lars
AU - Mens, Helene
AU - Clausen, Louise Nygaard
AU - Katzenstein, Terese L
AU - Fomsgaard, Anders
AU - Karlsson, Ingrid
PY - 2011/6/1
Y1 - 2011/6/1
N2 - Background: A subgroup of HIV-1-infected individuals, elite controllers, have spontaneous viral control and offer an exceptional opportunity to study virological and immunolocigal factors of possible involvement in control of HIV-1 infection. Methods: The frequencies of Tregs and TH17 cells was evaluated and correlated to markers of disease progression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 3 different groups of individuals infected with HIV-1: treatment-naive viremic individuals, individuals on successful highly active antiretroviral therapy, and elite controllers. In addition, a group of HIV-1-negative individuals were included. Results: We demonstrate that elite controllers have lower levels of Tregs compared with HIV-1-infected viremic individuals, but that the low Treg level does not differ between individuals with HIV-1 control, whether natural or therapy induced. We also show that T-cell activation and proliferation both correlate to the level of Tregs. Finally, the TH17/Treg ratio was similar in Elite Controllers and uninfected controls, whereas in viremic and treated HIV-1-infected individuals, the TH17/Treg ratio was lower compared with uninfected controls. Conclusions: We show that one feature of spontaneous HIV-1 control is a maintained balance between regulatory T cells and TH17 cells.
AB - Background: A subgroup of HIV-1-infected individuals, elite controllers, have spontaneous viral control and offer an exceptional opportunity to study virological and immunolocigal factors of possible involvement in control of HIV-1 infection. Methods: The frequencies of Tregs and TH17 cells was evaluated and correlated to markers of disease progression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 3 different groups of individuals infected with HIV-1: treatment-naive viremic individuals, individuals on successful highly active antiretroviral therapy, and elite controllers. In addition, a group of HIV-1-negative individuals were included. Results: We demonstrate that elite controllers have lower levels of Tregs compared with HIV-1-infected viremic individuals, but that the low Treg level does not differ between individuals with HIV-1 control, whether natural or therapy induced. We also show that T-cell activation and proliferation both correlate to the level of Tregs. Finally, the TH17/Treg ratio was similar in Elite Controllers and uninfected controls, whereas in viremic and treated HIV-1-infected individuals, the TH17/Treg ratio was lower compared with uninfected controls. Conclusions: We show that one feature of spontaneous HIV-1 control is a maintained balance between regulatory T cells and TH17 cells.
U2 - 10.1097/qai.0b013e318215a991
DO - 10.1097/qai.0b013e318215a991
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 21407087
SN - 1525-4135
VL - 57
SP - 101
EP - 108
JO - J A I D S
JF - J A I D S
IS - 2
ER -
