HIV "Elite Controllers" Are Characterized by a High Frequency of Memory CD8 super(+)CD73 super(+) T Cells Involved in the Antigen-Specific CD8 super(+) T-cell Response

• Published in: The Journal of infectious diseases Vol. 209; no. 9; pp. 1321 - 1330
• Main Authors: Carriere, Matthieu, Lacabaratz, Christine, Kok, Ayrin, Benne, Clarisse, Jenabian, Mohammad-Ali, Casartelli, Nicoletta, Hue, Sophie, Hocqueloux, Laurent, Lelievre, Jean-Daniel, Levy, Yves
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.05.2014
• Subjects: Human immunodeficiency virus 1
• ISSN: 0022-1899; 1537-6613
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jit643

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection is characterized by chronic Immune activation and suppressed T-lymphocyte functions. Here we report that CD73, both a coactivator molecule of T cells and an immunosuppressive ecto-enzyme through adenosine production, is only weakly expressed by CD8 super(+) T cells of HIV-infected patients and only partially restored after successful antiviral treatment. CD73 expression on CD8 super(+) T cells correlates inversely with cell activation both ex vivo and in vitro. However, CD8 super(+) T cells from HIV controllers (HICs), which spontaneously control HIV replication, express CD73 strongly, despite residual immune activation. Finally, we demonstrate that CD73 is involved in the HIV-specific CD8 super(+) T-cell expansion. Thus, we show that CD73 is central to the functionality of HIV-specific CD8 super(+) T cells and that the preservation of HIV-specific CD73 super(+)CD8 super(+) T cells is a characteristic of HICs. These observations reveal a novel mechanism involved in the control of viral replication.