CD4+ T cell polyfunctional profile in HIV-TB coinfection are similar between individuals with latent and active TB infection

Tuberculosis (Edinb). 2015 Jul;95(4):470-5. doi: 10.1016/j.tube.2014.12.008. Epub 2015 Jan 7.

Abstract

CD4+ T cell counts of HIV-infected individuals with pulmonary TB (PTB) are higher than with other opportunistic infections suggesting that progression to PTB is not merely due to T cell depletion but also dysfunction. There are limited data examining T cell functional signatures in human HIV-TB co-infection particularly in PTB which accounts for about 80% of active TB disease overall. We examined a cohort of HIV-infected anti-retroviral naïve individuals in Kampala, Uganda, a TB endemic area using multiparametric flow cytometry analysis to determine IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-17, and TNF-α production in CD4+ memory T cell subsets. The cytokine frequency and polyfunctionality profile of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)-specific CD4+ T cells in HIV-infected persons with latent TB infection (LTBI) or PTB is comparable. This similarity suggests that LTBI may represent a smoldering state of persistent MTB replication rather than dormant infection. This may be a contributory mechanism to the significantly increased risk of progression to PTB in this population.

Keywords: CD4+ T cell; HIV-1; Polyfunctionality; Tuberculosis.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / microbiology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology
  • Coinfection*
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • HIV Infections / blood
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Memory
  • Latent Tuberculosis / blood
  • Latent Tuberculosis / diagnosis
  • Latent Tuberculosis / immunology*
  • Latent Tuberculosis / virology
  • Male
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / growth & development
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / immunology*
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / blood
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / diagnosis
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / immunology*
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / microbiology
  • Uganda

Substances

  • Cytokines