Single-cell multiomics reveals persistence of HIV-1 in expanded cytotoxic T cell clones

JA Collora, R Liu, D Pinto-Santini, N Ravindra… - Immunity, 2022 - cell.com
JA Collora, R Liu, D Pinto-Santini, N Ravindra, C Ganoza, JR Lama, R Alfaro, J Chiarella…
Immunity, 2022cell.com
Understanding the drivers and markers of clonally expanding HIV-1-infected CD4+ T cells is
essential for HIV-1 eradication. We used single-cell ECCITE-seq, which captures surface
protein expression, cellular transcriptome, HIV-1 RNA, and TCR sequences within the same
single cell to track clonal expansion dynamics in longitudinally archived samples from six
HIV-1-infected individuals (during viremia and after suppressive antiretroviral therapy) and
two uninfected individuals, in unstimulated conditions and after CMV and HIV-1 antigen …
Summary
Understanding the drivers and markers of clonally expanding HIV-1-infected CD4+ T cells is essential for HIV-1 eradication. We used single-cell ECCITE-seq, which captures surface protein expression, cellular transcriptome, HIV-1 RNA, and TCR sequences within the same single cell to track clonal expansion dynamics in longitudinally archived samples from six HIV-1-infected individuals (during viremia and after suppressive antiretroviral therapy) and two uninfected individuals, in unstimulated conditions and after CMV and HIV-1 antigen stimulation. Despite antiretroviral therapy, persistent antigen and TNF responses shaped T cell clonal expansion. HIV-1 resided in Th1-polarized, antigen-responding T cells expressing BCL2 and SERPINB9 that may resist cell death. HIV-1 RNA+ T cell clones were larger in clone size, established during viremia, persistent after viral suppression, and enriched in GZMB+ cytotoxic effector memory Th1 cells. Targeting HIV-1-infected cytotoxic CD4+ T cells and drivers of clonal expansion provides another direction for HIV-1 eradication.
cell.com