Blocking type I interferon signaling enhances T cell recovery and reduces HIV-1 reservoirs

J Clin Invest. 2017 Jan 3;127(1):269-279. doi: 10.1172/JCI90745. Epub 2016 Dec 12.

Abstract

Despite the efficient suppression of HIV-1 replication that can be achieved with combined antiretroviral therapy (cART), low levels of type I interferon (IFN-I) signaling persist in some individuals. This sustained signaling may impede immune recovery and foster viral persistence. Here we report studies using a monoclonal antibody to block IFN-α/β receptor (IFNAR) signaling in humanized mice (hu-mice) that were persistently infected with HIV-1. We discovered that effective cART restored the number of human immune cells in HIV-1-infected hu-mice but did not rescue their immune hyperactivation and dysfunction. IFNAR blockade fully reversed HIV-1-induced immune hyperactivation and rescued anti-HIV-1 immune responses in T cells from HIV-1-infected hu-mice. Finally, we found that IFNAR blockade in the presence of cART reduced the size of HIV-1 reservoirs in lymphoid tissues and delayed HIV-1 rebound after cART cessation in the HIV-1-infected hu-mice. We conclude that low levels of IFN-I signaling contribute to HIV-1-associated immune dysfunction and foster HIV-1 persistence in cART-treated hosts. Our results suggest that blocking IFNAR may provide a potential strategy to enhance immune recovery and reduce HIV-1 reservoirs in individuals with sustained elevations in IFN-I signaling during suppressive cART.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / genetics
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Infections / pathology
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Interferon Type I / genetics
  • Interferon Type I / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta / genetics
  • Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta / immunology
  • Recovery of Function / drug effects*
  • Recovery of Function / genetics
  • Recovery of Function / immunology
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / immunology

Substances

  • Anti-Retroviral Agents
  • Interferon Type I
  • Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta