Poly-functional immune response in HIV infection: a correlation between immunological and clinical status

Aim: We analysed patient immunological status and serum cytokine profile to establish immune-activation state and afterwards the obtained data were correlated to viral activity and ARV therapy. Materials and Methods: 50 HIV-1 mono-infected patients (pt) were recruited: 5 naïve, 5 virologic controllers, 10 virologic non controllers (ARV drug-untreated pt with HIV viremia above 10,000 copies/ml), 20 virologic responders (ARV drug-treated pt with undetectable HIV viremia) and 10 virologic non responders patients (ARV drug-treated pt with HIV viremia ≥ 400 copies/ml). IFN- production and plasmatic cytokine pattern levels (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-β, IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, IP-10, IL-8, MIP-1 α, MIP-1β, MCP-1) were assayed on admission and 12 months follow-up. Results: Our data showed that patients with control of HIV-1 viremia independently of ARV showed higher levels of polyfunctional IFN-/IL-2 producers gag-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells, compared to subjects with progression of HIV infection that showed a predominance of single IFN-γ producers gag-specific T-cells. Figure 1 displays that non responder patients showed higher levels of inflammatory cytokines as compared to responders. Conclusions: Our data suggest that the presence of poly-functional immune response is a strong correlation of HIV-control; the analysis of T-cell immune response together to cytokine profile focus not only on HIV immunopathology but could support the clinicians to apply different approach strategies to manage HIV-1 infection