Comparison of CD8+ T-cell subsets in HIV-infected rapid progressor children versus non–rapid progressor children

Abstract

Background: CD8+ T-cell subsets have not been adequately described in HIV-infected (HIV+) children classified with respect to disease progression as rapid-progressors (RPs) and non–rapid progressors (non-RPs). Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the distribution of CD8+ T-cell subsets in HIV+ children and correlate the findings with degree of immunosuppression and HIV viral burden. Methods: By means of 3-color flow cytometry, percentages of CD38+DR+, CD28+, and CD57+ CD8+ T-cell subsets were examined in RP (n = 15) and non-RP (n = 36) HIV+ children and in HIV-exposed but uninfected (n = 11) and HIVunexposed (n = 8) children. The CD8+ T-cell subsets were correlated with mean CD4+ T-cell percentages and HIV RNA levels. Analysis of covariance was used for group comparisons for the control of the covariate of age. Results: The HIV-exposed and HIV-unexposed controls were not different from each other in CD8+ T-cell subset percentages, except that the DR–CD38+CD8+ T-cell percentages were higher in the exposed controls than in the unexposed controls. RPs had a higher mean percentage of DR+CD38+CD8+ T cells than non-RPs and both control groups, and RPs had higher viremia than non-RPs. CD38+CD8+ T-cell percentages did not correlate with viral burden as it has been seen to do in HIV+ adults. Percentages of CD28+CD8+ T cells were lower in HIV-infected children than in controls. There was a positive correlation of percentage of CD28+CD57–CD8+ T cells with CD4+ T-cell percentages in each HIV-infected group. Conclusion: CD8+ T cells become activated (dual expression of DR and CD38) and lose CD28, some acquiring CD57, in relation to rapidity of disease progression in pediatric HIV infection. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2001;108:258-64.)