CD3+CD8+CD161high Tc17 cells are depleted in HIV‐Infection and related to the level of immune reconstitution

Purpose The existence of CD8+cells with pro‐inflammatory properties referred to as Tc17 cells has recently been acknowledged. While it is evident that CD4+pro‐inflammatory IL‐17‐producing Th17 cells are important in the regulation of chronic viral infections, the role of Tc17 cells is largely unknown. Tc17 cells are characterized by expression of high levels of CD161 (CD161high). We hypothesized that Tc17 cells are involved in immune regulation in HIV‐ infection. Methods 67 HIV‐infected patients were included in a cross‐sectional study. All patients had nadir CD4 counts