Reduced Activation of CD Regulatory T Cells is Associated With Preserved HIV Specific CD T Cells in Cohort of Indian Long Term Non Progressors LTNPs

Background nbsp Regulatory T cells Treg are CD T cell with suppressive function and play a critical role in controlling immune activation and inflammation but its role in HIV infection is not well understood The present study is aimed to determine the interplay between the Tregs HIV specific CD CTLs and the immune activation in HIV infected individuals with non progressive disease Methodology nbsp CD CD highFoxP Tregs cells were characterized for their frequency and activation status in long term non Progressors LTNPs Progressors and HIV negative healthy controls whereas the HIV Env C specific CD CTL frequencies were measured in LTNPs using multicolour flow cytometry The levels of lipopolysaccharide LPS and sCD were measured in plasma samples by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay Results nbsp The frequencies of total and activated CD Tregs were significantly lower in LTNPs as compared to those seen in Progressors and were associated with higher CD counts p lt for both The total Treg percentage were associated with higher lower plasma viral loads p No association between the LPS and sCD levels and Tregs or HIV specific CD T cells was observed The activated CD and CD T cells were significantly associated with higher Treg frequencies and lower plasma viral load PVL Lower frequencies of CD activated Tregs were associated with higher CD CTL response p in LTNPs Conclusion nbsp Lower activation of Tregs might have an influence on HIV specific CTL response Additionally understanding the interplay between the activation of cellular compartment and HIV specific CTL response is critical to plan the focused intervention