Distinct profile of T cell activation in HIV type 2 compared to HIV type 1 infection: differential mechanism for immunoprotection

• Published in: AIDS research and human retroviruses Vol. 21; no. 9; p. 791
• Main Authors: Hanson, Andrea, Sarr, Abdoulaye Dieng, Shea, Amy, Jones, Norman, Mboup, Souleymane, Kanki, Phyllis, Cao, Huyen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-09-2005
• Subjects: CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Female; Gene Products, gag - immunology; HIV Infections - immunology; HIV Infections - virology; HIV-1; HIV-2; Humans; Lymphocyte Activation; Prospective Studies; Senegal; Sex Work; Species Specificity
• ISSN: 0889-2229
• DOI: 10.1089/aid.2005.21.791

The mechanism for the lower rate of disease progression in HIV-2 infection remains undefined. We evaluated T cell activation in a cohort of HIV-infected commercial sex workers in Dakar, Senegal. CD8+ T cell activation was significantly lower in HIV-2- compared to HIV-1-infected volunteers and both groups displayed higher activation levels compared to seronegative individuals. In contrast, CD4+ T cell activation was similar between the HIV-1 and HIV-2 groups and significantly higher compared to the seronegative group. Interestingly, HIV-2-positive volunteers with evidence of Gag-specific CD8+ T cell responses displayed lower CD4+ T cell activation. Our data suggest that the distinct T cell activation profile in HIV-2-positive individuals may reflect on the presence of effective host immune responses in HIV-2 infection.