Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Protease Inhibitor Modulates Activation of Peripheral Blood CD4+ T Cells and Decreases Their Susceptibility to Apoptosis In Vitro and In Vivo

Blood ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 94 (3) ◽  
pp. 1021-1027 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine M. Sloand ◽  
Princy N. Kumar ◽  
Sonnie Kim ◽  
Aniruddho Chaudhuri ◽  
Frank F. Weichold ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Protease Inhibitor ◽  
Protease Inhibitors ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Cd4 Cells ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus

CD4+ T cells from patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection undergo apoptosis at an increased rate, which leads to their depletion during disease progression. Both the Fas-Receptor (Fas-R) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)–converting enzyme (ICE; caspase 1) appear to play a role in the mechanism of apoptosis of CD4+ lymphocytes. Although Fas-R is upregulated on both CD4+ and CD8+ cells in HIV-infected patients, results from our laboratory and others indicate that, in patients with advanced disease, CD4+ cells preferentially express ICE. Protease inhibitors have successfully halted the progression of HIV disease and increased CD4+ T counts. In this study, we examined the effect of protease inhibitors on Fas-R (CD95), ICE (caspase 1) expression, apoptosis, and cell death in CD4+ T cells of (1) HIV-infected patients who were receiving protease inhibitors, and (2) normal and patient CD4+ T cells cultured with a protease inhibitor in vitro. Fifteen patients with advanced HIV disease on treatment showed dramatically decreased CD4+ T-cell ICE expression, diminished apoptosis, and increased numbers of CD4+ cells within 6 weeks of institution of protease inhibitor therapy, and before down-modulation of Fas-R (CD95) expression was evident. To determine the role of HIV infection, we studied the effect of ritonavir, a protease inhibitor, on normal and patient cells in vitro. Stimulated and unstimulated normal CD4+ T cells, cultured with protease inhibitor, demonstrated markedly decreased apoptosis and ICE expression (P = .01). While Fas-R expression was not significantly altered during short-term culture by such treatment, Fas-Ligand (Fas-L) membrane expression of phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated blood lymphocytes was decreased by protease inhibitor. In the presence of ritonavir, CD4+ T cells from HIV-infected patients showed similar changes in ICE intracellular levels without alteration of Fas expression. In conclusion, protease inhibitors appear to decrease CD4+ T-cell ICE expression and apoptosis before they affect Fas-R expression in HIV-infected patients. This action was independent of HIV infection, as similar effects were seen in CD4+ T cells from normal controls. Some of the benefit of protease inhibitors may be related to modification of programmed cell death, which increases CD4+ T-cell number. Whether this is due to directly to the changes effected in the caspase system remains to be determined.

scholarly journals African Green Monkey TRIM5α Restriction in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Specific Rhesus Macaque Effector CD4 T Cells Enhances Their Survival and Antiviral Function

2015 ◽  
Vol 89 (8) ◽  
pp. 4449-4456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumiti Jain ◽  
Matthew T. Trivett ◽  
Victor I. Ayala ◽  
Claes Ohlen ◽  
David E. Ott
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Rhesus Macaque ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
T Cell Clones ◽  
Cell Clones ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Antiviral Function

ABSTRACTThe expression of xenogeneic TRIM5α proteins can restrict infection in various retrovirus/host cell pairings. Previously, we have shown that African green monkey TRIM5α (AgmTRIM5α) potently restricts both human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and simian immunodeficiency virus mac239 (SIVmac239) replication in a transformed human T-cell line (L. V. Coren, et al., Retrovirology 12:11, 2015,http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12977-015-0137-9). To assess AgmTRIM5α restriction in primary cells, we transduced AgmTRIM5α into primary rhesus macaque CD4 T cells and infected them with SIVmac239. Experiments with T-cell clones revealed that AgmTRIM5α could reproducibly restrict SIVmac239replication, and that this restriction synergizes with an intrinsic resistance to infection present in some CD4 T-cell clones. AgmTRIM5α transduction of virus-specific CD4 T-cell clones increased and prolonged their ability to suppress SIV spread in CD4 target cells. This increased antiviral function was strongly linked to decreased viral replication in the AgmTRIM5α-expressing effectors, consistent with restriction preventing the virus-induced cytopathogenicity that disables effector function. Taken together, our data show that AgmTRIM5α restriction, although not absolute, reduces SIV replication in primary rhesus CD4 T cells which, in turn, increases their antiviral function. These results support priorin vivodata indicating that the contribution of virus-specific CD4 T-cell effectors to viral control is limited due to infection.IMPORTANCEThe potential of effector CD4 T cells to immunologically modulate SIV/HIV infection likely is limited by their susceptibility to infection and subsequent inactivation or elimination. Here, we show that AgmTRIM5α expression inhibits SIV spread in primary effector CD4 T cellsin vitro. Importantly, protection of effector CD4 T cells by AgmTRIM5α markedly enhanced their antiviral function by delaying SIV infection, thereby extending their viability despite the presence of virus. Ourin vitrodata support priorin vivoHIV-1 studies suggesting that the antiviral CD4 effector response is impaired due to infection and subsequent cytopathogenicity. The ability of AgmTRIM5α expression to restrict SIV infection in primary rhesus effector CD4 T cells now opens an opportunity to use the SIV/rhesus macaque model to further elucidate the potential and scope of anti-AIDS virus effector CD4 T-cell function.

scholarly journals Telomere and ATM Dynamics in CD4 T-Cell Depletion in Active and Virus-Suppressed HIV Infections

2020 ◽  
Vol 94 (22) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sushant Khanal ◽  
Qiyuan Tang ◽  
Dechao Cao ◽  
Juan Zhao ◽  
Lam Nhat Nguyen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Cell Aging

ABSTRACT CD4 T-cell depletion is a hallmark of HIV/AIDS, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. We have recently shown that ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) deficiency in CD4 T cells accelerates DNA damage, telomere erosion, and cell apoptosis in HIV-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Whether these alterations in ART-treated HIV subjects occur in vitro in HIV-infected CD4 T cells remains unknown. In this study, we employed a cellular model of HIV infection to characterize the mechanisms underlying CD4 T-cell destruction by analyzing the telomeric DNA damage response (DDR) and cellular apoptosis in highly permissive SupT1 cells, followed by the validation of our observations in primary CD4 T cells with active or drug-suppressed HIV infection. Specifically, we established an in vitro HIV T-cell culture system with viral replication and raltegravir (RAL; an integrase inhibitor) suppression, mimicking active and ART-controlled HIV infection in vivo. We demonstrated that HIV-induced, telomeric DDR plays a pivotal role in triggering telomere erosion, premature T-cell aging, and CD4 T-cell apoptosis or depletion via dysregulation of the PI3K/ATM pathways. This in vitro model provides a new tool to investigate HIV pathogenesis, and our results shed new light on the molecular mechanisms of telomeric DDR and CD4 T-cell homeostasis during HIV infection. IMPORTANCE The hallmark of HIV infection is a gradual depletion of CD4 T cells, with a progressive decline of host immunity. How CD4 T cells are depleted in individuals with active and virus-suppressed HIV infection remains unclear. In this study, we employed a cellular model of HIV infection to characterize the mechanisms underlying CD4 T-cell destruction by analyzing the chromosome end (telomere) DNA damage response (DDR) and cellular apoptosis in a T-cell line (highly permissive SupT1 cells), as well as in primary CD4 T cells with active or drug-suppressed HIV infection. We demonstrated that HIV-induced telomeric DDR plays a critical role in inducing telomere loss, premature cell aging, and CD4 T-cell apoptosis or depletion via dysregulation of the PI3K/ATM pathways. This study sheds new light on the molecular mechanisms of telomeric DDR and its role in CD4 T-cell homeostasis during HIV infection.

scholarly journals HIV Infection Functionally Impairs Mycobacterium tuberculosis-Specific CD4 and CD8 T-Cell Responses

2018 ◽  
Vol 93 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrizia Amelio ◽  
Damien Portevin ◽  
Jerry Hella ◽  
Klaus Reither ◽  
Lujeko Kamwela ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Latent Tuberculosis ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cell Responses ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus

ABSTRACT Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is the major risk factor predisposing for Mycobacterium tuberculosis progression from latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) to tuberculosis disease (TB). Since long-term-treated aviremic HIV-infected individuals remained at higher risk of developing TB than HIV-uninfected individuals, we hypothesized that progression from LTBI to pulmonary TB (PTB) might be due not only to CD4 T-cell depletion but also to M. tuberculosis-specific CD4 T-cell functional impairment. To test this hypothesis, M. tuberculosis-specific T-cell frequencies and cytokine profiles were investigated in untreated Tanzanian individuals suffering from LTBI (n = 20) or PTB (n = 67) and compared to those of untreated M. tuberculosis/HIV-coinfected individuals suffering from LTBI (n = 15) or PTB (n = 10). We showed that HIV infection significantly reduced the proportion of Th2 (interleukin 4 [IL-4]/IL-5/IL-13) producing M. tuberculosis-specific CD4 T cells and IL-2-producing M. tuberculosis-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells in individuals with LTBI or PTB (P < 0.05). Interestingly, the loss of IL-2 production was associated with a significant increase of PD-1 expression on M. tuberculosis-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells (P < 0.05), while the loss of Th2 cytokine production was associated with a significant reduction of Gata-3 expression in memory CD4 T cells (P < 0.05). Finally, we showed that the serum levels of IL-1α, IL-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-23, and IP-10 were significantly reduced in M. tuberculosis/HIV-coinfected individuals with PTB compared to those in HIV-negative individuals with PTB (P < 0.05), suggesting that HIV infection significantly suppresses M. tuberculosis-induced systemic proinflammatory cytokine responses. Taken together, this study suggests that in addition to depleting M. tuberculosis-specific CD4 T cells, HIV infection significantly impairs functionally favorable M. tuberculosis-specific CD4 T-cell responses in Tanzanian individuals with LTBI or PTB. IMPORTANCE Mycobacterium tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are coendemic in several regions of the world, and M. tuberculosis/HIV-coinfected individuals are more susceptible to progression to tuberculosis disease. We therefore hypothesized that HIV infection would potentially impair M. tuberculosis-specific protective immunity in individuals suffering from latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) or active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). In this study, we demonstrated that M. tuberculosis/HIV-coinfected individuals have fewer circulating M. tuberculosis-specific CD4 T cells and that those that remained were functionally impaired in both LTBI and PTB settings. In addition, we showed that HIV infection significantly interferes with M. tuberculosis-induced systemic proinflammatory cytokine/chemokine responses. Taken together, these data suggest that HIV infection impairs functionally favorable M. tuberculosis-specific immunity.

scholarly journals Response of naive antigen-specific CD4+ T cells in vitro: characteristics and antigen-presenting cell requirements.

1992 ◽  
Vol 176 (5) ◽  
pp. 1431-1437 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Croft ◽  
D D Duncan ◽  
S L Swain
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Dendritic Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Cd4 Cells ◽  
Peptide Antigen ◽  
Naive T Cells ◽  
Naïve T Cells ◽  
Antigen Presenting

Because of the low frequency of T cells for any particular soluble protein antigen in unprimed animals, the requirements for naive T cell responses in specific antigens have not been clearly delineated and they have been difficult to study in vitro. We have taken advantage of mice transgenic for the V beta 3/V alpha 11 T cell receptor (TCR), which can recognize a peptide of cytochrome c presented by IEk. 85-90% of CD4+ T cells in these mice express the transgenic TCR, and we show that almost all such V beta 3/V alpha 11 receptor-positive cells have a phenotype characteristic of naive T cells, including expression of high levels of CD45RB, high levels of L-selectin (Mel-14), low levels of CD44 (Pgp-1), and secretion of interleukin 2 (IL-2) as the major cytokine. Naive T cells, separated on the basis of CD45RB high expression, gave vigorous responses (proliferation and IL-2 secretion) to peptide antigen presented in vitro by a mixed antigen-presenting cell population. At least 50% of the T cell population appeared to respond, as assessed by blast transformation, entry into G1, and expression of increased levels of CD44 by 24 h. Significant contributions to the response by contaminating memory CD4+ cells were ruled out by demonstrating that the majority of the CD45RB low, L-selectin low, CD44 high cells did not express the V beta 3/V alpha 11 TCR and responded poorly to antigen. We find that proliferation and IL-2 secretion of the naive CD4 cells is minimal when resting B cells present peptide antigen, and that both splenic and bone marrow-derived macrophages are weak stimulators. Naive T cells did respond well to high numbers of activated B cells. However, dendritic cells were the most potent stimulators of proliferation and IL-2 secretion at low cell numbers, and were far superior inducers of IL-2 at higher numbers. These studies establish that naive CD4 T cells can respond vigorously to soluble antigen and indicate that maximal stimulation can be achieved by presentation of antigen on dendritic cells. This model should prove very useful in further investigations of activation requirements and functional characteristics of naive helper T cells.

scholarly journals Contact-dependent delivery of IL-2 by dendritic cells to CD4 T cells in the contraction phase promotes their long-term survival

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-123
Author(s):  
Dan Tong ◽  
Li Zhang ◽  
Fei Ning ◽  
Ying Xu ◽  
Xiaoyu Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Dendritic Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Immune Memory ◽  
Term Survival

Abstract Common γ chain cytokines are important for immune memory formation. Among them, the role of IL-2 remains to be fully explored. It has been suggested that this cytokine is critically needed in the late phase of primary CD4 T cell activation. Lack of IL-2 at this stage sets for a diminished recall response in subsequent challenges. However, as IL-2 peak production is over at this point, the source and the exact mechanism that promotes its production remain elusive. We report here that resting, previously antigen-stimulated CD4 T cells maintain a minimalist response to dendritic cells after their peak activation in vitro. This subtle activation event may be induced by DCs without overt presence of antigen and appears to be stronger if IL-2 comes from the same dendritic cells. This encounter reactivates a miniature IL-2 production and leads a gene expression profile change in these previously activated CD4 T cells. The CD4 T cells so experienced show enhanced reactivation intensity upon secondary challenges later on. Although mostly relying on in vitro evidence, our work may implicate a subtle programing for CD4 T cell survival after primary activation in vivo.

scholarly journals CD8+ T lymphocytes provide helper activity for IgE synthesis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with hyper-IgE.

1995 ◽  
Vol 181 (1) ◽  
pp. 423-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Paganelli ◽  
E Scala ◽  
I J Ansotegui ◽  
C M Ausiello ◽  
E Halapi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Cd8 T Cell ◽  
Cd4 Cells ◽  
In Vitro Synthesis ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Ige Synthesis

Increased levels of serum IgE and eosinophilia have been described in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, almost exclusively in patients with CD4+ cell count &lt; 200 cells/microliters. IgE production is regulated by CD4+ T helper type 2 (Th-2) lymphocytes, producing interleukin 4 (IL-4) and expressing a ligand for the B cell-specific CD40 molecule (CD40 ligand [L]). A shift to a Th-2-like pattern of cytokine secretion has been postulated to be associated with progression toward acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). We studied three AIDS patients with very high levels of IgE and almost complete depletion of CD4+ lymphocytes, suggesting that IgE synthesis could not be driven by CD4+ cells. IgE in vitro synthesis by cells from such patients was, however, inhibited by anti-IL-4. We show that both CD8+ T cell lines and the majority of CD8+ T cells clones derived from these patients produce IL-4, IL-5, and IL-6 in half of the cases together with interferon gamma (IFN-gamma). 44% of CD8+ T cell clones expressed a CD40L, and the supernatants of the clones were capable of inducing IgE synthesis by normal B cells costimulated with anti-CD40. CD8+ T cells in these patients therefore functionally mimic Th-2 type cells and may account for hyper-IgE and eosinophilia in the absence of CD4+ cells. The presence of such CD8+ cells may also provide a source of IL-4 directing the development of predominant Th-2 responses in HIV infection.

Impact of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection on lymphocyte numbers and T-cell turnover in different organs of rhesus monkeys

Blood ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 101 (4) ◽  
pp. 1213-1219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sieghart Sopper ◽  
Dagmar Nierwetberg ◽  
Astrid Halbach ◽  
Ursula Sauer ◽  
Carsten Scheller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Simian Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Cd4 Counts ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Total Body ◽  
Spleen And Lymph Nodes ◽  
Asymptomatic Phase

HIV infection leads to reduced numbers and increased turnover of CD4+ T cells in blood. However, blood represents only 2% of the total lymphocyte pool, and information about other organs is lacking, leading to controversy about the effects of HIV infection on T-cell homeostasis. Therefore, we have determined phenotype and turnover of lymphocyte subsets in various tissues of macaques. Infection with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) resulted in increased proliferation rates of T cells in all organs. Despite reduced CD4 counts in blood, absolute numbers of CD4+ T cells were increased in spleen and lymph nodes and remained stable in nonlymphoid organs such as liver, lung, bone marrow, and brain during the asymptomatic phase, indicative for an altered tissue distribution. In animals killed with first signs of AIDS, total body CD4 counts and proliferation rates had returned to control levels, whereas thymocytes were almost completely absent. Our data show that a drastically increased turnover in the early stages of HIV infection, driven by a generalized immune activation rather than a homeostatic response to CD4+ T-cell destruction, is followed by exhaustion of the regenerative capacity of the immune system.

scholarly journals SIV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis synergy within the granuloma accelerates the reactivation pattern of latent tuberculosis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Collin R Diedrich ◽  
Tara Rutledge ◽  
Pauline Maiello ◽  
Tonilynn M Baranowski ◽  
Alexander G White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Bacterial Burden ◽  
Common Risk Factor ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus

AbstractHuman immunodeficiency virus infection is the most common risk factor for severe forms of tuberculosis (TB), regardless of CD4 T cell count. Using a well-characterized cynomolgus macaque model of human TB, we compared radiographic, immunologic and microbiologic characteristics of early (subclinical) reactivation of latent M. tuberculosis (Mtb) infection among animals subsequently infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) or who underwent anti-CD4 depletion by a depletion antibody. CD4 depleted animals had significantly fewer CD4 T cells within granulomas compared to Mtb/SIV co-infected and Mtb-only control animals. After 2 months of treatment, subclinical reactivation occurred at similar rates among CD4 depleted (5 of 7 animals) and SIV infected animals (4 of 8 animals). However, SIV-induced reactivation was associated with more dissemination of lung granulomas that were permissive to Mtb growth resulting in greater bacterial burden within granulomas compared to CD4 depleted reactivators. Granulomas from Mtb/SIV animals displayed a more robust T cell activation profile (IFN-α, IFN-γ, TNF, IL-17, IL-2, IL-10, IL-4 and granzyme B) compared to Mtb/αCD4 animals and controls though these effectors did not protect against reactivation or dissemination, but instead may be related to increased viral and/or Mtb antigens. SIV replication within the granuloma was associated with reactivation, greater overall Mtb growth and Mtb killing resulting in greater overall Mtb burden. These data support that SIV disrupts protective immune responses against latent Mtb infection beyond the loss of CD4 T cells, and that synergy between SIV and Mtb occurs within granulomas.Author SummaryMost humans are able to control infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the bacteria that causes tuberculosis (TB). Controlled, asymptomatic infection (latent infection) can develop into symptomatic, severe TB (reactivation TB) when the immune system is impaired, and HIV is the most common risk factor. Chronic HIV infection is associated with low CD4 T cells but there are likely other factors involved. Using macaques with latent Mtb infection, we could induce reactivation from either CD4 T cell depletion or SIV infection. We found that SIV induced reactivation was more dramatic with more bacterial dissemination and bacterial growth compared to those with CD4 depletion. While SIV-infected animals had more activated immune responses in the lung granulomas (a collection of immune cells that functions to combat Mtb), they could not prevent bacterial spread of Mtb resulting in more TB pathology, higher bacterial burden and disease throughout the body. These data suggest that the HIV-induced reactivation TB is not solely from the loss of CD4 T cells. Furthermore, our data suggest that SIV and Mtb have a synergistic relationship within granulomas that impairs the ability to kill Mtb and that this relationship exacerbates TB disease.

scholarly journals Plasmacytoid dendritic cells have divergent effects on HIV infection of initial target cells and induce a pro-retention phenotype

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. e1009522
Author(s):  
Orion Tong ◽  
Gabriel Duette ◽  
Thomas Ray O’Neil ◽  
Caroline M. Royle ◽  
Hafsa Rana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Dendritic Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Reverse Transcriptase ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Ccr5 Expression ◽  
Memory Cd4 T Cells

Although HIV infection inhibits interferon responses in its target cells in vitro, interferon signatures can be detected in vivo soon after sexual transmission, mainly attributed to plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). In this study, we examined the physiological contributions of pDCs to early HIV acquisition using coculture models of pDCs with myeloid DCs, macrophages and the resting central, transitional and effector memory CD4 T cell subsets. pDCs impacted infection in a cell-specific manner. In myeloid cells, HIV infection was decreased via antiviral effects, cell maturation and downregulation of CCR5 expression. In contrast, in resting memory CD4 T cells, pDCs induced a subset-specific increase in intracellular HIV p24 protein expression without any activation or increase in CCR5 expression, as measured by flow cytometry. This increase was due to reactivation rather than enhanced viral spread, as blocking HIV entry via CCR5 did not alter the increased intracellular p24 expression. Furthermore, the load and proportion of cells expressing HIV DNA were restricted in the presence of pDCs while reverse transcriptase and p24 ELISA assays showed no increase in particle associated reverse transcriptase or extracellular p24 production. In addition, PDCs also markedly induced the expression of CD69 on infected CD4 T cells and other markers of CD4 T cell tissue retention. These phenotypic changes showed marked parallels with resident memory CD4 T cells isolated from anogenital tissue using enzymatic digestion. Production of IFNα by pDCs was the main driving factor for all these results. Thus, pDCs may reduce HIV spread during initial mucosal acquisition by inhibiting replication in myeloid cells while reactivating latent virus in resting memory CD4 T cells and retaining them for immune clearance.

A mathematical model of HIV dynamics treated with a population of gene-edited haematopoietic progenitor cells exhibiting threshold phenomenon

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 212-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vardayani Ratti ◽  
Seema Nanda ◽  
Susan K Eszterhas ◽  
Alexandra L Howell ◽  
Dorothy I Wallace
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Gene Editing ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Threshold Phenomenon ◽  
Cell Counts

Abstract The use of gene-editing technology has the potential to excise the CCR5 gene from haematopoietic progenitor cells, rendering their differentiated CD4-positive (CD4+) T cell descendants HIV resistant. In this manuscript, we describe the development of a mathematical model to mimic the therapeutic potential of gene editing of haematopoietic progenitor cells to produce a class of HIV-resistant CD4+ T cells. We define the requirements for the permanent suppression of viral infection using gene editing as a novel therapeutic approach. We develop non-linear ordinary differential equation models to replicate HIV production in an infected host, incorporating the most appropriate aspects found in the many existing clinical models of HIV infection, and extend this model to include compartments representing HIV-resistant immune cells. Through an analysis of model equilibria and stability and computation of $R_0$ for both treated and untreated infections, we show that the proposed therapy has the potential to suppress HIV infection indefinitely and return CD4+ T cell counts to normal levels. A computational study for this treatment shows the potential for a successful ‘functional cure’ of HIV. A sensitivity analysis illustrates the consistency of numerical results with theoretical results and highlights the parameters requiring better biological justification. Simulations of varying level production of HIV-resistant CD4+ T cells and varying immune enhancements as the result of these indicate a clear threshold response of the model and a range of treatment parameters resulting in a return to normal CD4+ T cell counts.

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