[HTML][HTML] Altered memory circulating T follicular helper-B cell interaction in early acute HIV infection

R Muir, T Metcalf, V Tardif, H Takata… - PLoS …, 2016 - journals.plos.org
R Muir, T Metcalf, V Tardif, H Takata, N Phanuphak, E Kroon, DJ Colby, R Trichavaroj…
PLoS pathogens, 2016journals.plos.org
The RV254 cohort of HIV-infected very early acute (4thG stage 1 and 2)(stage 1/2) and late
acute (4thG stage 3)(stage 3) individuals was used to study T helper-B cell responses in
acute HIV infection and the impact of early antiretroviral treatment (ART) on T and B cell
function. To investigate this, the function of circulating T follicular helper cells (cTfh) from this
cohort was examined, and cTfh and memory B cell populations were phenotyped. Impaired
cTfh cell function was observed in individuals treated in stage 3 when compared to stage …
The RV254 cohort of HIV-infected very early acute (4thG stage 1 and 2) (stage 1/2) and late acute (4thG stage 3) (stage 3) individuals was used to study T helper- B cell responses in acute HIV infection and the impact of early antiretroviral treatment (ART) on T and B cell function. To investigate this, the function of circulating T follicular helper cells (cTfh) from this cohort was examined, and cTfh and memory B cell populations were phenotyped. Impaired cTfh cell function was observed in individuals treated in stage 3 when compared to stage 1/2. The cTfh/B cell cocultures showed lower B cell survival and IgG secretion at stage 3 compared to stage 1/2. This coincided with lower IL-10 and increased RANTES and TNF-α suggesting a role for inflammation in altering cTfh and B cell responses. Elevated plasma viral load in stage 3 was found to correlate with decreased cTfh-mediated B cell IgG production indicating a role for increased viremia in cTfh impairment and dysfunctional humoral response. Phenotypic perturbations were also evident in the mature B cell compartment, most notably a decrease in resting memory B cells in stage 3 compared to stage 1/2, coinciding with higher viremia. Our coculture assay also suggested that intrinsic memory B cell defects could contribute to the impaired response despite at a lower level. Overall, cTfh-mediated B cell responses are significantly altered in stage 3 compared to stage 1/2, coinciding with increased inflammation and a reduction in memory B cells. These data suggest that early ART for acutely HIV infected individuals could prevent immune dysregulation while preserving cTfh function and B cell memory.
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