BACKGROUND: The activity of virus-specific T lymphocytes, among which those capable of a polyfunctional response against the viral protein gag, is crucial to control HIV infection. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate the polyfunctionality of gag-specific T cells in different phases of HIV infection, analyzing markers related to T-helper cell 1 (Th1) and degranulation/cytotoxicity, and the production of Th1 cytokines in peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients experiencing an acute primary infection, long-term nonprogressors, patients naive for antiretroviral drugs, and patients taking HAART. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cells were stimulated with a pool of gag-derived peptides or with a superantigen (staphylococcal enterotoxin B). Using eight-color polychromatic flow cytometry, we analyzed the expression of interleukin-2, interferon-gamma, CD154, and CD107a by CD4 and CD8 T cells. RESULTS: The main finding was that in all HIV-positive patients, about half gag-specific CD4 T cells were CD107a, that is, able to degranulate. CD4CD154 cells unable to produce Th1 cytokines were the second most represented population. Truly polyfunctional CD4 T cells were very rare and present only in a few long-term nonprogressors. Superantigen stimulation showed that CD4 T lymphocytes from all patients displayed a typical Th response, including interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma production, lacking CD107a expression. CONCLUSION: In all the aforementioned phases of HIV infection, the large majority of gag-specific CD4 T lymphocytes cannot be identified by the sole expression of interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma, which is early impaired. Degranulation and helper functions other than Th1 cytokine production are the predominant features of HIV-specific CD4 lymphocytes.

Cytotoxic granule release dominates gag-specific CD4+ T-cell response in different phases of HIV infection / Nemes, Elisa; Bertoncelli, Linda; Lugli, Enrico; Pinti, Marcello; Nasi, Milena; Manzini, Lisa; Manzini, Simona; Prati, Francesca; Borghi, V; Cossarizza, Andrea; Mussini, Cristina. - In: AIDS. - ISSN 0269-9370. - STAMPA. - 24:7(2010), pp. 947-957. [10.1097/QAD.0b013e328337b144]

Cytotoxic granule release dominates gag-specific CD4+ T-cell response in different phases of HIV infection.

NEMES, Elisa;BERTONCELLI, Linda;LUGLI, Enrico;PINTI, Marcello;NASI, Milena;MANZINI, Lisa;MANZINI, SIMONA;PRATI, Francesca;COSSARIZZA, Andrea;MUSSINI, Cristina
2010

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The activity of virus-specific T lymphocytes, among which those capable of a polyfunctional response against the viral protein gag, is crucial to control HIV infection. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate the polyfunctionality of gag-specific T cells in different phases of HIV infection, analyzing markers related to T-helper cell 1 (Th1) and degranulation/cytotoxicity, and the production of Th1 cytokines in peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients experiencing an acute primary infection, long-term nonprogressors, patients naive for antiretroviral drugs, and patients taking HAART. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cells were stimulated with a pool of gag-derived peptides or with a superantigen (staphylococcal enterotoxin B). Using eight-color polychromatic flow cytometry, we analyzed the expression of interleukin-2, interferon-gamma, CD154, and CD107a by CD4 and CD8 T cells. RESULTS: The main finding was that in all HIV-positive patients, about half gag-specific CD4 T cells were CD107a, that is, able to degranulate. CD4CD154 cells unable to produce Th1 cytokines were the second most represented population. Truly polyfunctional CD4 T cells were very rare and present only in a few long-term nonprogressors. Superantigen stimulation showed that CD4 T lymphocytes from all patients displayed a typical Th response, including interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma production, lacking CD107a expression. CONCLUSION: In all the aforementioned phases of HIV infection, the large majority of gag-specific CD4 T lymphocytes cannot be identified by the sole expression of interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma, which is early impaired. Degranulation and helper functions other than Th1 cytokine production are the predominant features of HIV-specific CD4 lymphocytes.
2010
24
7
947
957
Cytotoxic granule release dominates gag-specific CD4+ T-cell response in different phases of HIV infection / Nemes, Elisa; Bertoncelli, Linda; Lugli, Enrico; Pinti, Marcello; Nasi, Milena; Manzini, Lisa; Manzini, Simona; Prati, Francesca; Borghi, V; Cossarizza, Andrea; Mussini, Cristina. - In: AIDS. - ISSN 0269-9370. - STAMPA. - 24:7(2010), pp. 947-957. [10.1097/QAD.0b013e328337b144]
Nemes, Elisa; Bertoncelli, Linda; Lugli, Enrico; Pinti, Marcello; Nasi, Milena; Manzini, Lisa; Manzini, Simona; Prati, Francesca; Borghi, V; Cossarizza, Andrea; Mussini, Cristina
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11380/640574
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