Year: 2021
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: A unique population of HIV-1 infected individuals can control infection without antiretroviral therapy. These individuals fall into a myriad of categories based on the degree of control (low or undetectable viral load), the durability of control over time and the underlying mechanism (i.e., possession of protective HLA alleles or the absence of critical cell surface receptors). In this study, we examine a cohort of HIV-1 infected individuals with a documented history of sustained low viral loads in the absence of therapy. Throughin vitroanalyses of cells from these individuals, we have determined that infected individuals with naturally low viral loads are capable of controlling spreading infectionin vitroin a CD8+T-cell dependent manner. This control is lost when viral load is suppressed by antiretroviral therapy and correlates with a clinical CD4:CD8 ratio of <1. Our results support the conclusion that HIV-1 controllers with low, but detectable viral loads may be controlling the virus due to an effective CD8+T-cell response. Understanding the mechanisms of control in these subjects may provide valuable understanding that could be applied to induce a functional cure in standard progressors.
Source: Frontiers in Microbiology
Institutions: University of the Sciences, Drexel University
Language: English
Topic: HIV Research and Treatment
Subfield: Virology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,950
OpenAlex ID: W3166326470