Improved CD4 T-cell profile and inflammatory levels in HIV-infected subjects on maraviroc-containing therapy is associated with better responsiveness to HBV vaccination.

Introduction: We previously found that a maraviroc-containing combined antiretroviral therapy (MVC-cART) was associated with a better response to the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) vaccine in HIV-infected subjects younger than 50 years old. We aimed here to extend our previous analysis including immunological parameters related to inflammation, T-cell and dendritic cell (DC) subsets phenotype and to explore the impact of MVC-cART on these parameters. Methods: We analyzed baseline samples of vaccinated subjects under 50 years old (n=41). We characterized CD4 T-cells according to the distribution of their maturational subsets and the expression of activation, senescence and prone-to-apoptosis markers; we also quantified Treg-cells and main DC subsets. Linear regressions were performed to determine the impact of these variables on the magnitude of vaccine response. Binary logistic regressions were explored to analyze the impact of MVC-cART on immunological parameters. Correlations with the time of MVC exposure were also explored.Results: MVC-cART remained independently associated with HBV-vaccine responsiveness even after adjusting by immunological variables. The %CD4 + CD25 hi FoxP3 + ki67 + and %pDCs were also independently associated. Moreover, HIV-infected subjects on MVC-containing therapy prior to vaccination showed lower inflammatory levels, activated CD4 T-cells and frequency of Treg cells and higher frequency of recent thymic emigrants.Conclusion: Treg-cell levels negatively impacted the HBV-vaccine response, whereas higher pDCs levels and a MVC-cART prior to vaccination were associated with better responsiveness. These factors together with, the improved phenotypic CD4 T-cell profile and the lower inflammatory levels found in subjects with a MVC-cART prior HBV vaccination could contribute to their enhanced vaccine response.