HIV infected CD4+ T cell clones are more stable than uninfected clones during long-term antiretroviral therapy

PLoS Pathog. 2022 Aug 31;18(8):e1010726. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010726. eCollection 2022 Aug.

Abstract

Although combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) blocks HIV replication, it is not curative because infected CD4+ T cells that carry intact, infectious proviruses persist. Understanding the behavior of clones of infected T cells is important for understanding the stability of the reservoir; however, the stabilities of clones of infected T cells in persons on long-term ART are not well defined. We determined the relative stabilities of clones of infected and uninfected CD4+ T cells over time intervals of one to four years in three individuals who had been on ART for 9-19 years. The largest clones of uninfected T cells were larger than the largest clones of infected T cells. Clones of infected CD4+ T cells were more stable than clones of uninfected CD4+ T cells of a similar size. Individual clones of CD4+ T cells carrying intact, infectious proviruses can expand, contract, or remain stable over time.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes
  • Clone Cells
  • DNA, Viral
  • HIV Infections* / drug therapy
  • HIV-1* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Proviruses / genetics

Substances

  • DNA, Viral