| Title: |
HIV-specific CD8+ T-cell proliferative response 24 weeks after early antiretroviral therapy initiation is associated with the subsequent reduction in the viral reservoir |
| Authors: |
van Paassen,Pien Margien; Pasternak,Alexander O; Bolluyt,Dita C; van Dort,Karel A; van Nuenen,Ad C; Maurer,Irma; Boeser-Nunnink,Brigitte; Buchholtz, Ninée V E J; Mahmoudi,Tokameh; Lungu,Cynthia; van Crevel,Reinout; Rokx,Casper; Symons, Jori; Nijhuis, Monique; van der Veen,Annelou L I P; Vogt,Liffert; Klouwens,Michelle J; Prins,Jan M; Kootstra,Neeltje A; de Bree,Godelieve J; MMB-hiv; Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cells; Infection & Immunity |
| Publication Year: |
2026 |
| Subject Terms: |
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology; Humans; HIV Infections/drug therapy; Male; Female; HIV-1/immunology; Adult; Viral Load; Cell Proliferation; Anti-Retroviral Agents/therapeutic use; Middle Aged; Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use; Journal Article |
| Description: |
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiated in the acute phase of HIV infection (AHI) results in a smaller viral reservoir. However, the impact of early HIV-specific T-cell responses on long-term reservoir dynamics is less well characterized. Therefore, we measured the size of the viral reservoir and functionality of HIV-specific CD8+ T-cell responses after the acute phase at 24 and 156 weeks after ART initiation in people with HIV who started treatment during AHI. A significant reduction in total and defective HIV DNA and a trend toward a reduction in intact HIV DNA were observed between 24 and 156 weeks. Functional CD8+ T-cell responses against HIV peptides Env, Gag, Nef, and Pol were maintained over 3 years after treatment initiation. The proliferative capacity of HIV-specific CD8+ T-cells at 24 weeks of ART was predictive of the degree of reduction in total and defective HIV DNA between 24 and 156 weeks, suggesting HIV-specific CD8+ T-cells may at least partially drive the decline of the viral reservoir. Therefore, enforcing HIV-specific immune responses as early as possible after diagnosis of AHI should be a central focus of HIV cure strategies. |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| File Description: |
text/plain |
| Language: |
English |
| ISSN: |
2050-084X |
| Relation: |
https://dspace.library.uu.nl/handle/1874/469257 |
| Availability: |
https://dspace.library.uu.nl/handle/1874/469257 |
| Rights: |
info:eu-repo/semantics/OpenAccess |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.2B9663C0 |
| Database: |
BASE |