Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in antiretroviral-naive HIV patients

We characterized regulatory T cells from antiretroviral-naive HIV patients by flow cytometry. The proportion of CD4 cells positive for CD25 and Foxp3 was increased, mainly in those with CD4 cell counts less than 200 cells/microl. The total number of Foxp3-positive cells correlated with the CD4 cell count. Further studies are needed on whether Foxp3-positive cell numbers or function explain the susceptibility to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases seen in some patients with advanced HIV.