Immune correlates of HIV-1 reservoir cell decline in early-treated infants

Cell Rep. 2022 Jul 19;40(3):111126. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111126.

Abstract

Initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in infected neonates within hours after birth limits viral reservoir seeding but does not prevent long-term HIV-1 persistence. Here, we report parallel assessments of HIV-1 reservoir cells and innate antiviral immune responses in a unique cohort of 37 infected neonates from Botswana who started ART extremely early, frequently within hours after birth. Decline of genome-intact HIV-1 proviruses occurs rapidly after initiation of ART and is associated with an increase in natural killer (NK) cell populations expressing the cytotoxicity marker CD57 and with a decrease in NK cell subsets expressing the inhibitory marker NKG2A. Immune perturbations in innate lymphoid cells, myeloid dendritic cells, and monocytes detected at birth normalize after rapid institution of antiretroviral therapy but do not notably influence HIV-1 reservoir cell dynamics. These results suggest that HIV-1 reservoir cell seeding and evolution in early-treated neonates is markedly influenced by antiviral NK cell immune responses.

Keywords: CP: Immunology; CP: Microbiology; HIV reservoir; NK cells; innate immune responses; intact HIV-1 proviruses; pediatric HIV-1 infection.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes
  • HIV Infections*
  • HIV Seropositivity*
  • HIV-1*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Killer Cells, Natural

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents