Profound metabolic, functional, and cytolytic differences characterize HIV-specific CD8 T cells in primary and chronic HIV infection

Lydie Trautmann, Florentin Martial Mbitikon-Kobo, Jean Philippe Goulet, Yoav Peretz, Yu Shi, Julien Van Grevenynghe, Francesco Andrea Procopio, Mohamad Rachid Boulassel, Jean Pierre Routy, Nicolas Chomont, Elias K. Haddad, Rafick Pierre Sekaly

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

62 Scopus citations

Abstract

Immediate-early host-virus interactions that occur during the first weeks after HIV infection have a major impact on disease progression. The mechanisms underlying the failure of HIV-specific CD8 T-cell response to persist and control viral replication early in infection are yet to be characterized. In this study, we performed a thorough phenotypic, gene expression and functional analysis to compare HIV-specific CD8 T cells in acutely and chronically infected subjects. We showed that HIV-specific CD8 T cells in primary infection can be distinguished by their metabolic state, rate of proliferation, and susceptibility to apoptosis. HIV-specific CD8 T cells in acute/early HIV infection secreted less IFN-γ but were more cytotoxic than their counterparts in chronic infection. Importantly, we showed that the levels of IL-7R expression and the capacity of HIV-specific CD8 T cells to secrete IL-2 on antigenic restimulation during primary infection were inversely correlated with the viral set-point. Altogether, these data suggest an altered metabolic state of HIV-specific CD8 T cells in primary infection resulting from hyperproliferation and stress induced signals, demonstrate the discordant function of HIV-specific CD8 T cells during early/acute infection, and highlight the importance of T-cell maintenance for viral control.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3466-3477
Number of pages12
JournalBlood
Volume120
Issue number17
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 25 2012
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Immunology
  • Hematology
  • Cell Biology

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