CD32 Expression is not Associated to HIV-DNA content in CD4 cell subsets of individuals with Different Levels of HIV Control

Sci Rep. 2018 Oct 19;8(1):15541. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-33749-5.

Abstract

A recent study has pointed out to CD32a as a potential biomarker of HIV-persistent CD4 cells. We have characterized the level and phenotype of CD32+ cells contained in different subsets of CD4 T-cells and its potential correlation with level of total HIV-DNA in thirty HIV patients (10 typical progressors naïve for cART, 10 cART-suppressed patients, and 10 elite controllers). Total HIV-DNA was quantified in different subsets of CD4 T-cells: Trm and pTfh cells. Level and immunephenotype of CD32+ cells were analyzed in these same subsets by flow cytometry. CD32 expression in Trm and pTfh subsets was similar in the different groups, and there was no significant correlation between the level of total HIV-DNA and the level of CD32 expression in these subsets. However, total HIV-DNA level was correlated with expression of CD127 (rho = -0.46, p = 0.043) and of CCR6 (rho = -0.418, p = 0.027) on CD32+ cells. Our results do not support CD32 as a biomarker of total HIV-DNA content. However, analyzing the expression of certain markers by CD32+ cells could improve the utility of this marker in the clinical setting, prompting the necessity of further studies to both validate our results and to explore the potential utility of certain markers expressed by CD32+ cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / chemistry
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology*
  • DNA, Viral / analysis*
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression*
  • HIV / growth & development*
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • HIV Infections / pathology*
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Receptors, IgG / analysis*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / chemistry
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / virology
  • Viral Load

Substances

  • Anti-Retroviral Agents
  • DNA, Viral
  • Fc gamma receptor IIA
  • Receptors, IgG