Preservation HIV-1-specific IFNγ+ CD4+ T cell responses in breakthrough infections following exposure to Tenofovir Gel in the CAPRISA 004 microbicide trial

The CAPRISA004 trial demonstrated reduction of sexual HIV-1 acquisition in women using a vaginal microbicide containing tenofovir. A better understanding of the consequences of antiretroviral-containing microbicides for immune responses in individuals with intercurrent HIV-1 infection is needed for future trials combining the use of microbicides with HIV-1 vaccines. Investigation of immune responses in women who acquired HIV-1 whilst using tenofovir gel showed significantly higher ( p =0.01) Gag-specific IFNγ+ CD4+ T-cell responses. The use of tenofovir containing gel around the time of infection can modulate HIV-1 immunity, and these immunological changes need to be considered in future trials combining vaccines and microbicides.