Immune Modulation of HIV-1 Reservoir Size in Early-Treated Neonates

IL-8-secreting CD4 T cells are inversely correlated with HIV-1 reservoir size at birth in vertically infected neonates; these CD4 T cells may therefore represent a barrier against HIV-1 reservoir seeding. Immune mechanisms that modulate human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) reservoir size in neonates are poorly understood. Using samples from neonates who initiated antiretroviral therapy shortly after birth, we demonstrate that interleukin-8-secreting CD4 T cells, which are selectively expanded in early infancy, are more resistant to HIV-1 infection and inversely correlated with the frequency of intact proviruses at birth. Moreover, newborns with HIV-1 infection displayed a distinct B-cell profile at birth, with reduction of memory B cells and expansion of plasmablasts and transitional B cells; however, B-cell immune perturbations were unrelated to HIV-1 reservoir size and normalized after initiation of antiretroviral therapy.

Automated summary

IL-8-secreting CD4 T cells are negatively correlated with HIV-1 reservoir size at birth in vertically infected neonates, suggesting a potential barrier against reservoir seeding. The immune mechanisms regulating HIV-1 reservoir size in neonates remain unclear. In this study, we found that IL-8-secreting CD4 T cells, which are expanded in early infancy, are more resistant to HIV-1 infection and inversely correlated with intact proviruses at birth in neonates receiving early antiretroviral therapy. Furthermore, HIV-1-infected newborns exhibited distinct B-cell profiles at birth, which normalized after antiretroviral therapy.