High Number of Activated CD8(+) T Cells Targeting HIV Antigens Are Present in Cerebrospinal Fluid in Acute HIV Infection

• Background: Central nervous system (CNS) infiltration by CD8(+) T cells is associated with neuroinflammation in many neurodegenerative diseases, including HIV-associated dementia. However, the role of CD8(+) T cells in the CNS during acute HIV infection (AHI) is unknown. Methods: We analyzed the phenotype, gene expression, T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire, and HIV specificity of CD8(+) T cells in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of a unique cohort captured during the earliest stages of AHI (n = 26), chronic (n = 23), and uninfected (n = 8). Results: CSF CD8(+) T cells were elevated in AHI compared with uninfected controls. The frequency of activated CSF CD8(+) T cells positively correlated to CSF HIV RNA and to markers of CNS inflammation. In contrast, activated CSF CD8(+) T cells during chronic HIV infection were associated with markers of neurological injury and microglial activation. CSF CD8(+) T cells in AHI exhibited increased functional gene expression profiles associated with CD8(+) T cells effector function, proliferation, and TCR signaling, a unique restricted TCR Vbeta repertoire and contained HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells directed to unique HIV epitopes compared with the periphery. Conclusions: These results suggest that CSF CD8(+) T cells in AHI expanding in the CNS are functional and directed against HIV antigens. These cells could thus play a beneficial role protective of injury seen in chronic HIV infection if combination antiretroviral therapy is initiated early.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Immunologi inom det medicinska området (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Immunology in the medical area (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Neurovetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Neurosciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

HIV

cytotoxic T lymphocytes

HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells

neuroinflammation

HIV-associated

CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM

ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY

IMMUNE ACTIVATION

NEUROCOGNITIVE DISORDERS

NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES

LYMPHOCYTES

DEMENTIA

NEUROPATHOGENESIS

INDIVIDUALS

REPLICATION

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)