HIV infection-related premature immunosenescence: high rates of immune exhaustion after short time of infection

Curr HIV Res. 2011 Jul;9(5):289-94. doi: 10.2174/157016211797636008.

Abstract

Premature immunosenescence has been reported in different HIV scenarios. However, how premature is the HIV-related immunosenescent phenotype is still unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the immunosenescent status of young viraemic naive HIV-infected individuals, with less than four years from infection. To this end, replicative senescence, activation and proliferation T-cell levels were analyzed in chronically HIV-infected young individuals and both, elderly and young healthy controls. We show that young HIV-infected viraemic patients, with less than four years from infection, have early immune exhaustion leading to a premature immunosenescence comparable to healthy people 40 years elder. In addition, memory T-cell subsets showed greater alterations than elder healthy controls and, in patients with high viral loads, CD57 expression at the memory T-cell subsets was correlated with lower viral increases but higher CD4 T-cell lost during follow up.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • CD4 Antigens / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD57 Antigens / metabolism
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cellular Senescence / immunology*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Cellular / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phenotype
  • Spain
  • Time Factors
  • Viral Load
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • CD4 Antigens
  • CD57 Antigens