Functional patterns of HIV-1-specific CD4 T-cell responses in children are influenced by the extent of virus suppression and exposure

BACKGROUND: Virus-specific CD4 T cells play a critical role in antiviral immunity. HIV-1-specific CD4 T cells in chronically infected adults are mostly composed of IFN-gamma-secreting cells, whereas a selective defect in IL-2-secreting CD4 T cells has been demonstrated. HIV-1-specific IL-2-secreting CD4 T cells are key components of effective immunity. OBJECTIVE: To determine the function of HIV-1-specific CD4 T cells in HIV-1 vertically infected children after antiretroviral treatment (ART). DESIGN: Twenty-three vertically HIV-infected children treated with ART for an extended period (mean 7 years) were retrospectively studied. METHODS: The function of HIV-1-specific CD4 T cells was determined by their ability to secrete IL-2 and IFN-gamma after stimulation with HIV-1 p55 gag protein using polychromatic flow cytometry. RESULTS:: Substantial differences in the patterns of CD4 T-cell responses were associated with different conditions of response to ART. Interestingly, children with suppression of viraemia below 50 HIV-1-RNA copies/ml of plasma for at least 2 years showed dominant IL-2 CD4 T-cell responses; children with viraemia below 50 copies but experiencing transient blips of viraemia showed polyfunctional (IL-2 plus IFN-gamma) CD4 T-cell responses; children with uncontrolled high viraemia levels had dominant IFN-gamma CD4 T-cell responses. Furthermore, the total frequency of HIV-1-specific CD4 T cells including IL-2 and IFN-gamma-secreting cells was significantly higher compared with HIV-infected adults with chronic infection. CONCLUSION: The higher frequency of HIV-1-specific CD4 T cells in children compared with adults and the recovery of IL-2-secreting CD4 T cells after successful ART-mediated suppression of virus replication indicate a greater capacity of immune restoration in children than adults.