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HIV gag‐specific immune response mediated by double negative (CD3 + CD4 − CD8 − ) T cells in HIV‐exposed seronegative individuals
Author(s) -
Restrepo Clara,
Rallón Norma I.,
del Romero Jorge,
Rodríguez Carmen,
SempereOrtells José M.,
de la Vega Elvira,
Soriano Vincent,
Benito José M.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9071
pISSN - 0146-6615
DOI - 10.1002/jmv.23447
Subject(s) - biology , cd8 , virology , immune system , immunology , cytotoxic t cell , t cell , cd3 , t lymphocyte , in vitro , genetics
Abstract Double negative (DN) T cells are CD3 + , CD4 − , CD8 − cells with either T‐cell receptors (TCR) αβ or TCR γδ whose importance on protection against HIV infection is unknown. Since HIV‐exposed seronegative individuals correspond to an ideal group in whom correlates of protection are expected, the role of these cells was studied in 13 HIV‐serodiscordant couples in a stable relationship and reporting unprotected sexual intercourses. HIV‐specific immune responses mediated by DN T‐cells were evaluated by measuring intracellular IFNγ and MIP1β (CCL4) production in response to HIV‐Gag peptides. Thirty‐five healthy controls not exposed to HIV were tested similarly and used to define a threshold for positive responses. Interestingly, Gag‐specific DN T‐cell responses were found in 3/13 (23%) HIV‐exposed seronegative individuals (Group A), involving both DN/αβ + and DN/γδ + T‐cells through MIP1β and IFNγ production. 4/13 (30%) of partners infected with HIV (Group B) also showed Gag‐specific responses but were mediated exclusively by DN/γδ + T‐cells, mainly through IFNγ production. DN T‐cells in Group A individuals can display differential HIV‐specific immune responses, which might contribute to the low susceptibility to infection with HIV shown by individuals in Group A. J. Med. Virol. 85:200–209, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.