Low Level of Regulatory T Cells and Maintenance of Balance Between Regulatory T Cells and TH17 Cells in HIV-1–Infected Elite Controllers

• DOI: 10.1097/qai.0b013e318215a991
• Publication Date: 2011-03-19T06:45:34Z
• Authors: Lea Brandt; Thomas Benfield; Helene Mens; Louise Nygaard Cl...; Terese L Katzenstein; Anders Fomsgaard; Ingrid Karlsson
• Keywords: Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; HIV Infections; HIV Antibodies; Viral Load; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; HIV-1; Humans; RNA, Viral; Th17 Cells; Viremia

Background: A subgroup of HIV-1-infected individuals, elite controllers, have spontaneous viral control and offer an exceptional opportunity to study virological immunolocigal factors possible involvement in HIV-1 infection. Methods: The frequencies Tregs TH17 cells was evaluated correlated markers disease progression peripheral blood mononuclear from 3 different groups individuals infected with HIV-1: treatment-naive viremic on successful highly active antiretroviral therapy, controllers. In addition, a group HIV-1-negative were included. Results: We demonstrate that controllers lower levels compared but the low Treg level does not differ between control, whether natural or therapy induced. also show T-cell activation proliferation both correlate Tregs. Finally, TH17/Treg ratio similar Elite Controllers uninfected controls, whereas treated controls. Conclusions: one feature is maintained balance regulatory T cells.