Sepsis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Sepsis, including details on septicemia, diagnosis, symptoms, treatment.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-specific CD8+ T(EMRA) cells in early infection are linked to control of HIV-1 viremia and predict the subsequent viral load set point.

Northfield JW, Loo CP, Barbour JD, Spotts G, Hecht FM, Klenerman P, Nixon DF, Michaëlsson J

Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3SY, United Kingdom.

CD8(+) T cells are believed to play an important role in the control of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. However, despite intensive efforts, it has not been possible to consistently link the overall magnitude of the CD8(+) T-cell response with control of HIV-1. Here, we have investigated the association of different CD8(+) memory T-cell subsets responding to HIV-1 in early infection with future control of HIV-1 viremia. Our results demonstrate that both a larger proportion and an absolute number of HIV-1-specific CD8(+) CCR7(-) CD45RA(+) effector memory T cells (T(EMRA) cells) were associated with a lower future viral load set point. In contrast, a larger absolute number of HIV-1-specific CD8(+) CCR7(-) CD45RA(-) effector memory T cells (T(EM)) was not related to the viral load set point. Overall, the findings suggest that CD8(+) T(EMRA) cells have superior antiviral activity and indicate that both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the CD8(+) T-cell response need to be considered when defining the characteristics of protective immunity to HIV-1.

Published 14 May 2007 in J Virol, 81(11): 5759-65.
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