Characterization of virus-specific CD8+ effector T cells in the course of HIV-1 infection: longitudinal analyses in slow and rapid progressors

Studies in humans have provided evidence that CD8+ T cells exhibit distinct phenotypical and functional properties dependent on virus specificity. It is not known how these T-cell phenotypes develop over the course of infection. Dynamics and properties of T cells specific for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in HIV infection were investigated in relation to viral load. In rapid progressors, HIV-specific CD8+ T cells were less differentiated early in infection and did not develop a more differentiated phenotype. In slow progressors, perforin expression of HIV-specific CD8+ T cells slightly increased over time. HIV and EBV loads were detectable in all individuals, while CMV load could not be detected. Thus, in individuals with progressive HIV infection, HIV-specific T cells are less differentiated already early in infection. This apparent block in differentiation may be partly caused by chronic viremia or lack of CD4+ T-cell help.