Beyond Help: Direct Effector Functions of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Specific CD4+ T Cells
Journal of virology, 2004•Am Soc Microbiol
The immune correlates of protection in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)
infection remain poorly defined, particularly the contribution of CD4+ T cells. Here we
explore the effector functions of HIV-1-specific CD4+ T cells. We demonstrate HIV-1 p24-
specific CD4+-T-cell cytolytic activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells directly ex vivo
and after enrichment by antigen-specific stimulation. We further show that in a rare long-term
nonprogressor, both an HIV-1-specific CD4+-T-cell clone and CD4+ T cells directly ex vivo …
infection remain poorly defined, particularly the contribution of CD4+ T cells. Here we
explore the effector functions of HIV-1-specific CD4+ T cells. We demonstrate HIV-1 p24-
specific CD4+-T-cell cytolytic activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells directly ex vivo
and after enrichment by antigen-specific stimulation. We further show that in a rare long-term
nonprogressor, both an HIV-1-specific CD4+-T-cell clone and CD4+ T cells directly ex vivo …
Abstract
The immune correlates of protection in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection remain poorly defined, particularly the contribution of CD4+ T cells. Here we explore the effector functions of HIV-1-specific CD4+ T cells. We demonstrate HIV-1 p24-specific CD4+-T-cell cytolytic activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells directly ex vivo and after enrichment by antigen-specific stimulation. We further show that in a rare long-term nonprogressor, both an HIV-1-specific CD4+-T-cell clone and CD4+ T cells directly ex vivo exert potent suppression of HIV-1 replication. Suppression of viral replication was dependent on cell-cell contact between the effector CD4+ T cells and the target cells. While the antiviral effector activity of CD8+ T cells has been well documented, these results strongly suggest that HIV-1-specific CD4+ T cells are capable of directly contributing to antiviral immunity.
American Society for Microbiology