Low-level exposure to HIV induces virus-specific T cell responses and immune activation in exposed HIV-seronegative individuals

HIV-specific T cells response and T cell activation are frequently seen in exposed seronegative individuals (ESN). In this study, we report HIV-specific response and level of T cell activation in ESN partners of HIV-infected patients presenting low or undetectable levels of HIV-RNA. We evaluated 24...

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Published in:The Journal of immunology (1950) 2010-07, Vol.185 (2), p.982-989
Main Authors: Restrepo, Clara, Rallón, Norma I, del Romero, Jorge, Rodríguez, Carmen, Hernando, Victoria, López, Mariola, Peris, Alejandra, Lozano, Sara, Sempere-Ortells, José M, Soriano, Vincent, Benito, José M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 - blood
Adult
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - cytology
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - metabolism
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - cytology
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - metabolism
Chemokine CCL4 - blood
Female
Flow Cytometry
HIV - immunology
HIV Infections - blood
HIV Infections - immunology
HIV Seronegativity - immunology
HLA-DR Antigens - blood
Humans
Interferon-gamma - blood
Lymphocyte Activation - immunology
Male
Middle Aged
T-Lymphocytes - cytology
T-Lymphocytes - immunology
T-Lymphocytes - metabolism
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Summary:HIV-specific T cells response and T cell activation are frequently seen in exposed seronegative individuals (ESN). In this study, we report HIV-specific response and level of T cell activation in ESN partners of HIV-infected patients presenting low or undetectable levels of HIV-RNA. We evaluated 24 HIV-serodiscordant couples. ESN were classified into three categories of exposure to HIV (very low, low, and moderate-high), considering levels of HIV-RNA in their infected partner and frequency of sexual high-risk practices within the last 12 mo. HIV-specific T cell responses and activation levels in T cell subsets were evaluated by flow cytometry. We reported that 54% of ESN had detectable HIV-specific T cells response, being the highest prevalence seen in the low exposure group (64%). Several T cell subsets were significantly increased in ESN when compared with controls: CD4(+)CD38(+) (p = 0.006), CD4(+)HLA-DR(-)CD38(+) (p = 0.02), CD4(+)CD45RA(+)CD27(+)HLA-DR(-)CD38(+) (p = 0.002), CD8(+)CD45RA(+)CD27(+)CD38(-)HLA-DR(+) (p = 0.02), and CD8(+)CD45RA(+)CD27(-)CD38(+)HLA-DR(+) (p = 0.03). Activation of CD8(+) T cells was increased in ESN with detectable HIV T cell responses compared with ESN lacking these responses (p = 0.04). Taken together, these results suggest that persistent but low sexual HIV exposure is able to induce virus-specific T cells response and immune activation in a high proportion of ESN, suggesting that virus exposure may occur even in conditions of maximal viral suppression in the HIV-infected partner.
ISSN:0022-1767
1550-6606
DOI:10.4049/jimmunol.1000221