Changes in follicular helper T ( Tfh) cells and Tfh-related molecules during HIV-1 infection / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze the changes in follicular helper T (Tfh) cells during HIV-1 in-fection, to investigate the influences of Tfh cells and Tfh-related molecules on HIV-1 progression and to pro-vide references for further research on using Tfh cells in highly active antiretroviral therapy ( HAART) and vaccines. Methods This study enrolled 33 patients with HIV-1 infection, including 11 long-term nonpro-gressors (LTNP), 10 rapid progressors (RP) and 12 typical progressors (TP), and 11 healthy subjects (normal controls, NC). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from each subject. Multicolor flow cytometry was performed to detect CD4+CD45RA-CXCR5+Tfh and CD4+CD45RA-CXCR3-CXCR5+PD-1+Tfh subsets and the levels of inducible costimulatory molecule (ICOS), IFN-γ and IL-21. Moreover, the levels of IL-10 and the percentages of CD19+B cells in plasma samples of each group were also analyzed. Relationships among Tfh, CD4 and B cells were analyzed. Results The percentages of both Tfh subsets were higher in patients with HIV-1 infection than in NC. Compared with NC, LTNP had the highest percent-age of CD4+CD45RA-CXCR3-CXCR5+PD-1+Tfh cells (P<0. 05). Expression of Tfh-related molecules ICOS, IFN-γ and IL-21 were enhanced significantly upon Staphylococcus enterotoxin B ( SEB) stimulation, ICOS+Tfh cells were negatively related with HIV-1 progression, but had a positive correlation with CD19+B cells (r=-0. 49, P<0. 01; r=0. 60, P<0. 05). IL-10 level in plasma increased significantly in patients withHIV-1 infection , especially in TP and RP ( TP vs NC P＜0. 01 ; RP vs NC P<0. 05 ) . Conclusion HIV-1 patients and NC had significant differences in the expression of Tfh cells and Tfh-related molecules in peripheral blood. ICOS+Tfh cells were closely related to the progression of HIV-1 infection and the function of B cells.