Abstract
BackgroundRegulatory CD4 T cells (Tregs) are critical in maintaining the homeostasis of the immune system. Quantitative or phenotypic alterations and functional impairment of Tregs have been associated with the development of pathologies including those of the central nervous system. Individuals with HIV-1/HTLV-1 co-infection are more prone to develop neurological complications. The aim of this study was to characterize phenotypically Treg cells in HIV-1/HTLV-1 co-infected Mozambican individuals presenting neurological symptoms.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV-infected individuals presentingneurological symptoms, with and without HTLV co-infection, and blood donors. Peripheral bloodmononuclear cells were stained with monoclonal antibodies conjugated with fluorochromes to quantifyTregs and activated T cells by four colors flow cytometry.ResultsHigher Treg cell frequency (10.6 %) was noted in HIV-1/HTLV-1 co-infected group with neurological symptoms when compared to HIV-1 mono-infected group with neurological symptoms (0.38 %, p = 0.003) and control group (0.9 %, p = 0.0105). An inverse correlation between Foxp3 and CD49d expression was observed in all study groups (rh = −0.71, p = 0.001). In addition, increased levels of Treg cells in co-infected patients were strongly associated with total activated CD4 T cells (rh = 0.8, p = 0.01).ConclusionTreg cells in co-infected patients present phenotypic alterations and might have dysfunction marked by low expression of Foxp3 and increased expression of molecules not frequently seen on Treg cells, such as CD49d. These alterations may be related to (1) changes in Treg cell trafficking and migration, possibly making those cells susceptible to HIV infection, and (2) inability to control the activation and proliferation of effector T lymphocytes.
Highlights
Regulatory CD4 T cells (Tregs) are critical in maintaining the homeostasis of the immune system
There was a predominance of males in controls (5/5) and HIV-infected with neurological symptoms (HIV HIV/ HTLV co-infected with neurological symptoms (Neur)) group (5/8), when compared to HIV/HTLV coinfected with neurological symptoms (HIV/HTLV Neur) group (2/8)
Four patients in the HIV Neur group and seven in HIV/HTLV Neur group were in stage I of HIV disease; two patients in HIV Neur group and one in HIV/ HTLV Neur were in stage II of HIV disease; and two patients in the HIV Neur group were in the stage IV of HIV disease
Summary
Regulatory CD4 T cells (Tregs) are critical in maintaining the homeostasis of the immune system. Individuals with HIV-1/HTLV-1 co-infection are more prone to develop neurological complications. The aim of this study was to characterize phenotypically Treg cells in HIV-1/HTLV-1 co-infected Mozambican individuals presenting neurological symptoms. 4.5 % among antiretroviral therapy (ART) naïve HIVpositive patients [1] Since both HIV-1 and HTLV-1 have tropism for CD4 T cells, it is relevant to understand how the presence of HTLV-1 can modulate the pathophysiology of HIV-1 infection. Individuals with HIV-1/HTLV-1 co-infection are at a higher risk for developing diseases associated with both viruses These patients are more prone to develop neurological complications, HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/ tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/ TSP) [2, 3] and may progress faster to AIDS with higher levels of activation markers, despite their higher CD4 T cell counts [4]
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