Natural viral suppressors of HIV-1 have a unique capacity to maintain gd T cells

Objective: To evaluate Vg2Vd2 T cells in a group of HIV-infected patients who suppress HIV replication without antiretroviral therapy (natural viral suppressors, NVSs). Design: It is a cross-sectional study. Methods: We compared Vg2Vd2 T-cell frequency, T-cell repertoire, and responses to isopentenyl pyrophosphate stimulation between NVSs (n = 21) and HIV-uninfected controls (n = 27) and between NVSs and HIV-infected patients taking HAART with suppressed viral replication (HIV-P; n = 25). Results: NVSs had a mean frequency of 1.06 c0.82% CD3 super(+)Vd2+ cells among total lymphocytes, which was significantly higher than both control groups (HIV-negative: 0.50c0.53%, P=0.042; HIV-P: 0.34c0.37%, P= 0.002). The proportion of Vg2 chains correlating with the Vg2-Jg1.2 rearrangement was reduced among NVSs compared with HIV-negative controls (0.57 c0.06 vs. 0.32 c0.04; P=0.016) but was increased compared with HIV-P patients (0.32 c0.04 vs. 0.22 c0.03; P=0.03). NVSs had a similar baseline frequency of CD27 super(-)/CD45RA super(-) effector cells (19.6 c 4.2%) compared with HIV-negative controls (20.8c12.9%; P= 0.35). Conclusion: The altered 78 T-cell receptor repertoire among NVS was consistent with the known effect of HIV-1 on these cells. Uniquely among all HIV-infected groups, NVS reconstituted the 78 T-cell population, eventually reaching levels significantly above controls. This capacity to recover 78 T-cell numbers and function distinguishes individuals who control HIV-1 with and without HAART.