Gag-specific CD4+ T-cell frequency is inversely correlated with proviral load and directly correlated with immune activation in infection with human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) but not HIV-1

Foxall, R. B.Cortesão, C. S.Albuquerque, A. S.Soares, R. S.Victorino, R. M.Sousa, A. E.2015-02-032015-02-032008Journal of Virology, Oct. 2008, Vol. 82, No. 19, p. 9795–97990022-538Xhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1128/JVI.01217-08http://hdl.handle.net/10451/15875http://jvi.asm.org/content/82/19/9795Copyright © 2008, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) infection, unlike HIV-1 infection, is normally characterized by low rates of CD4 depletion and low-to-undetectable viremia. We found that the frequency of Gag-specific CD4(+) T cells featured positive correlations with the expression of markers of CD4 activation and a negative correlation with peripheral blood mononuclear cell-associated proviral load in infection with HIV-2, in contrast with HIV-1. Moreover, HIV-2-infected individuals exhibited a greater ability to respond to HIV-1 Gag peptides (heterologous responses). Our data suggest a potential link between HIV-2-specific CD4 responses, immune activation, and viral control, which may in turn relate to the better prognosis associated with HIV-2 infection.engGag-specific CD4+ T-cell frequency is inversely correlated with proviral load and directly correlated with immune activation in infection with human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) but not HIV-1journal article