T cell activation is associated with lower CD4+ T cell gains in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with sustained viral suppression during antiretroviral therapy

J Infect Dis. 2003 May 15;187(10):1534-43. doi: 10.1086/374786. Epub 2003 Apr 23.

Abstract

Although T cell activation is associated with disease progression in untreated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection, its significance in antiretroviral-treated patients is unknown. Activated (CD38(+)HLA-DR(+)) T cell counts were measured in 99 HIV-infected adults who had maintained a plasma HIV RNA level <or=1000 copies/mL for a median of 21 months while receiving antiretroviral therapy. Patients with sustained viral suppression had lower levels of T cell activation than untreated patients but higher levels than HIV-uninfected control subjects. Persistent T cell activation was associated with decreased CD4(+) T cell gains during therapy. For every 5% increase in the proportion of activated CD8(+) T cells, 35 fewer CD4(+) T cells/mm(3) were gained. Increased T cell activation was associated with shorter duration of viral suppression, hepatitis C virus coinfection, frequent low-level viremia, and lower nadir CD4(+) T cell counts. Interventions that directly target T cell activation or the determinants of activation may prove to be useful adjuvants to antiretroviral therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-HIV Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1 / drug effects*
  • HIV-1 / genetics
  • HIV-1 / physiology
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA, Viral / blood

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • RNA, Viral