BACKGROUND: Untreated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease leads to abnormalities in all major lymphocyte populations, including CD4(+) T cells, CD8(+) T cells, and B cells. However, little is known regarding the effect of antiretroviral therapy (ART)-induced decrease in HIV viremia on B cell numbers and subpopulations. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal study to evaluate changes in B cell numbers and subpopulations that occur during the course of 12 months of effective ART in a group of individuals with chronic HIV infection. RESULTS: ART-induced decrease in HIV viremia was associated with a significant increase in B cell counts, similar to increases in CD4(+) T cell counts yet distinct from the lack of increase in CD8(+) T cells. The increase in B cell counts was accompanied by a significant decrease in the frequency of apoptosis-prone B cell subpopulations, namely mature activated and immature transitional B cells, which are overrepresented in untreated HIV disease. The increase in B cell counts was reflected by a significant increase in naive and resting memory B cells, both of which represent populations that are essential for generating adequate humoral immunity. CONCLUSIONS: Normalization of B cell counts and subpopulations may help to explain the improvement in humoral immunity reported to occur after an ART-induced decrease in HIV viremia.
BACKGROUND: Untreated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease leads to abnormalities in all major lymphocyte populations, including CD4(+) T cells, CD8(+) T cells, and B cells. However, little is known regarding the effect of antiretroviral therapy (ART)-induced decrease in HIV viremia on B cell numbers and subpopulations. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal study to evaluate changes in B cell numbers and subpopulations that occur during the course of 12 months of effective ART in a group of individuals with chronic HIV infection. RESULTS: ART-induced decrease in HIV viremia was associated with a significant increase in B cell counts, similar to increases in CD4(+) T cell counts yet distinct from the lack of increase in CD8(+) T cells. The increase in B cell counts was accompanied by a significant decrease in the frequency of apoptosis-prone B cell subpopulations, namely mature activated and immature transitional B cells, which are overrepresented in untreated HIV disease. The increase in B cell counts was reflected by a significant increase in naive and resting memory B cells, both of which represent populations that are essential for generating adequate humoral immunity. CONCLUSIONS: Normalization of B cell counts and subpopulations may help to explain the improvement in humoral immunity reported to occur after an ART-induced decrease in HIV viremia.
Authors: Carolina B Ferreira; Alberto Merino-Mansilla; Anuska Llano; Ignacio Pérez; Isabel Crespo; Laia Llinas; Felipe Garcia; Jose M Gatell; Eloisa Yuste; Victor Sanchez-Merino Journal: J Virol Date: 2013-09-04 Impact factor: 5.103
Authors: M Medina-Ramírez; V Sánchez-Merino; S Sánchez-Palomino; A Merino-Mansilla; C B Ferreira; I Pérez; N González; A Alvarez; J M Alcocer-González; F García; J M Gatell; J Alcamí; E Yuste Journal: J Virol Date: 2011-04-06 Impact factor: 5.103
Authors: Clarisa M Buckner; Susan Moir; Jason Ho; Wei Wang; Jacqueline G Posada; Lela Kardava; Emily K Funk; Amy K Nelson; Yuxing Li; Tae-Wook Chun; Anthony S Fauci Journal: J Virol Date: 2013-03-13 Impact factor: 5.103