Conserved broad HIV-1 Gag-specific responses associated with low viral load and high CD4+ T cell nadir and preserved HAART regimen.

Abstract

Broad human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Gag-specific cellular responses can control viremia and provide slow progression to Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). In this study, we evaluate multiple HIV-1 Gag-specific lymphoproliferative responses and find their connection with cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4)+ T cell count and viral load from chronically HIV-1-infected patients. We further search for the correlation between multiple Gag-specific lymphoproliferative responses and changes in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimen. We found correlation between Gag-specific responses and higher CD4+ T cells nadir and low HIV-1 viral load. Additionally, we observed that HIV-1-infected subjects did not need to change HAART regimen, when multiple Gag responses are present. We concluded that the start of HAART when CD4+ T cell nadir is the highest as possible may promote Gag-specific cellular responses conservation. Multiple Gag responses must be important to suppress HIV-1 replication. Preserved Gag-specific responses reduce HIV-1 viral load and are associated with stability of HAART regimen. Keywords: HIV-1; Gag; lymphoproliferation; viral load; HAART.