Preservation of cytotoxic granule production in response to mycobacterial antigens by T-lymphocytes from vertically HIV-infected Brazilian youth on effective combined antiretroviral therapy.

Background: HIV infection harms adaptive cellular immunity mechanisms. Long-term virological control by combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) reduces the risk of mycobacterial infections. Thus, we aimed to study cellular responses to mycobacterial antigens in 20 HIV infected adolescents with at least one year of virological control (HIV-RNA <40 copies/mL) and 20 healthy adolescents. Methods: We evaluated CD8 and gamma delta T-cell degranulation by measurement of CD107a membrane expression after stimulation with lysates from BCG (10 mu g/mL) and H37RA Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb, 10 mu g/mL). Immune activation and antigen-presenting ability were also assessed by determination of HLA-DR, CD80, and CD86 markers. Results: TCR gamma delta T-cell CD107a expression was similar between groups in response to mycobacterial antigens, and lower in the HIV-infected group in response to mitogen. Higher baseline HLA-DR expression and lower mycobacterial-stimulated expression was found within the HIV-infected group. Conclusions: Similar degranulation in stimulated CD8+ and TCR gamma delta T-cells from HIV-infected adolescents, when compared to healthy controls suggests long-term immunological preservation with immune reconstitution under successful cART. However, differences in HLA-DR expression may represent ongoing inflammation and lower specific responses in HIV infected youth. These features may be relevant in the context of the precocity and severity of vertically acquired HIV infection. (C) 2019 Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. on behalf of Sociedade Brasileira de Infectologia.