[PDF][PDF] CTLA-4+ PD-1− memory CD4+ T cells critically contribute to viral persistence in antiretroviral therapy-suppressed, SIV-infected rhesus macaques

CS McGary, C Deleage, J Harper, L Micci, SP Ribeiro… - Immunity, 2017 - cell.com
CS McGary, C Deleage, J Harper, L Micci, SP Ribeiro, S Paganini, L Kuri-Cervantes…
Immunity, 2017cell.com
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) suppresses viral replication in HIV-infected individuals but does
not eliminate the reservoir of latently infected cells. Recent work identified PD-1+ follicular
helper T (Tfh) cells as an important cellular compartment for viral persistence. Here, using
ART-treated, SIV-infected rhesus macaques, we show that CTLA-4+ PD-1− memory CD4+ T
cells, which share phenotypic markers with regulatory T cells, were enriched in SIV DNA in
blood, lymph nodes (LN), spleen, and gut, and contained replication-competent and …
Summary
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) suppresses viral replication in HIV-infected individuals but does not eliminate the reservoir of latently infected cells. Recent work identified PD-1+ follicular helper T (Tfh) cells as an important cellular compartment for viral persistence. Here, using ART-treated, SIV-infected rhesus macaques, we show that CTLA-4+PD-1 memory CD4+ T cells, which share phenotypic markers with regulatory T cells, were enriched in SIV DNA in blood, lymph nodes (LN), spleen, and gut, and contained replication-competent and infectious virus. In contrast to PD-1+ Tfh cells, SIV-enriched CTLA-4+PD-1 CD4+ T cells were found outside the B cell follicle of the LN, predicted the size of the persistent viral reservoir during ART, and significantly increased their contribution to the SIV reservoir with prolonged ART-mediated viral suppression. We have shown that CTLA-4+PD-1 memory CD4+ T cells are a previously unrecognized component of the SIV and HIV reservoir that should be therapeutically targeted for a functional HIV-1 cure.
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