Potential role of CD8+CD28- T lymphocytes in immune activation during HIV-1 infection.

As CD8+CD28- T cells have been associated with dendritic and T cell suppression, we analyzed whether an increase in CD8+CD28- T cell numbers during HIV-1 infection could lead to impaired T cell responses. In contrast to the in-vitro generated CD8+CD28- suppressors, peripheral blood CD8+CD28- T cells of both HIV-infected and noninfected individuals promoted dendritic cell activation. The CD8+CD28- T cell accumulation during HIV-1 infection may thus contribute to accelerated inflammatory reactions and immune activation.