GB virus C viremia is associated with higher levels of double-negative T cells and lower T-cell activation in HIV-infected individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy

J Infect Dis. 2012 Nov;206(9):1469-72. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jis515. Epub 2012 Aug 20.

Abstract

Double-negative T cells (DNTCs; ie, CD3(+)CD4(-)CD8(-) T cells) play a role in limiting chronic immune activation. GB virus C (GBV-C) infection is associated with reduced T-cell activation in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals. T-cell activation and DNTCs were measured in HIV-infected subjects with a nondetectable HIV load. GBV-C-viremic subjects had significantly reduced CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell activation (P = .003 and .034, respectively) and significantly increased DNTCs (P = .038), compared with nonviremic subjects. GBV-C load correlated with DNTC percentage (P = .004). Thus, GBV-C infection is associated with an increase in DNTCs, which may contribute to reduced immune activation during HIV infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / methods*
  • CD3 Complex / analysis
  • CD4 Antigens / analysis
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / chemistry
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8 Antigens / analysis
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / chemistry
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • GB virus C / isolation & purification*
  • GB virus C / pathogenicity
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / complications*
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / immunology
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / chemistry
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • Viremia / complications*
  • Viremia / immunology

Substances

  • CD3 Complex
  • CD4 Antigens
  • CD8 Antigens