Correlation between CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells and disease progression in HIV infected long term non-progressors of China / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the association of CD4+CD8+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells with the HIV long term non-progressors(LTNP) in China. Methods Seventy-four HIV-1 infected patients (LTNP group, HIV group and AIDS group)and 16 normal controls were enrolled and the frequency of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells were detected by flow cytometry. To study the correlation between CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells and disease progression, the absolute CD4+ T cells, viral load, apoptosis and activation of T cells were also examined. Results The frequency of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in LTNP group was significantly lower than that in HIV and AIDS group (P<0.05). The frequency of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells was inversely related to CD4+ T cells and closely related to viral load and CD38, CD95 expression on CD4, CD8+ T cells (P<0.05). Conclusion The frequency of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells of HIV infected LTNP is significantly lower than typical progressors, which indicates that alternation of regulatory T cells may play a protective role in LTNP.