RESUMO
HIV infection usually results in a gradual deterioration of the immune system. It is evident that early recognition of progression markers during HIV infection from asymptomatic to symptomatic state is needed. In the present cross-sectional study, peripheral blood lymphocytes from 63 HIV-infected Puerto Rican individuals were analyzed by two-color flow cytometry to study the co-expression CD45RA and CD45RO on both CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells and its correlation with age, gender, CD4 count, CD4:CD8 ratio, anti-retroviral therapy, clinical status, and viral load. Measurement of T-cell subsets in these patients showed an excessive increase of CD3+CD8+, CD8+CD45RA+, and CD8+CD45RO+ T-cells as disease progresses. In contrast, it was also observed a significant decrease in CD3+CD4+, CD4+CD45RA+ and CD4+CD45RO+ T-cells. The distribution of CD8+CD45RA+ T-cells did not change significantly between HIV and AIDS cases suggesting that this T-cell subset is not a good progression marker. Interestingly, CD4+CD45RA+ T-cells were significantly difference between genders, and CD44+CD45RA+ and CD8+CD45RO+ T-cells were influenced by age. In conclusion, the distribution of naïve/memory CD4+ T-cells and memory CD8+ T-cells significantly correlate with HIV infection in disease progression. It is also important to mention that these T-cell subpopulations may be influenced by both gender and age. Overall, these results suggest that a loss in the generation of new immune response and function may be occurring during disease progression. This study open new windows of understanding that will be beneficial for future studies on immunopathogenesis, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring for HIV/AIDS.