Characteristics of CD8+ stem memory T cells in patients with chronic HIV-1 infection during antiretroviral therapy

Abstract

Objective To investigate the characteristics of CD8+ stem memory T cells (CD8+ Tscm) in patients with chronic HIV-1 infection before and after antiretroviral therapy (ART) and to analyze their associations with progression of HIV-1 infection. Methods Thirty-six patients with chronic HIV-1 infection and 20 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. Flow cytometry was performed to detect the percentages and absolute numbers of CD8+ Tscm in patients with chronic HIV-1 infection before and after antiretroviral therapy (ART) as well as in healthy subjects. Correlation analysis was used to demonstrate the relationships between CD8+ Tscm and markers for progression of HIV-1 infection (CD4+ T cell count, HIV-1 viral load and level of activated T cells). Results The percentages and the absolute numbers of CD8+ Tscm in patients with chronic HIV-1 infection had no significant change before and after ART. They were respectively positively correlated with the percentages and the absolute numbers of CD4+ Tscm. The percentage of CD8+ Tscm was proportional to the percentage of CD8+ central memory T cells (CD8+ Tcm), but was inversely proportional to the percentage of CD8+ effector memory T cells (CD8+ Tem). In addition, the percentages of CD8+ Tscm in patients with HIV-1 infection were negatively correlated with the viral loads before ART. Conclusion CD8+ Tscm are responsible for maintaining the homeostasis of other CD8+ T cell subsets. CD8+ Tscm play an important role in inhibiting viral replication. Key words: HIV-1 chronic infection; Antiretroviral therapy; CD8+ Tscm