Blood, 1 January 2001, Vol. 97, No. 1, pp. 214-220
IMMUNOBIOLOGY
Longitudinal analysis of T-cell receptor gene use by
CD8+ T cells in early human immunodeficiency virus
infection in patients receiving highly active
antiretroviral therapy
Anna M. Schito,
Eric Vittinghoff,
Frederick M. Hecht,
Mary K. Elkins,
James O. Kahn,
Jay A. Levy, and
Jorge R. Oksenberg
From the Departments of Neurology, Epidemiology and
Biostatistics, and Medicine, and the Positive Health Program HIV
Section, University of California at San Francisco, CA.
The effects of early antiretroviral therapy on the peripheral
CD8+ T-cell population were assessed by sequentially
determining the T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire complexity in a cohort
of 15 individuals recently diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Analysis was based on quantitative TCR variable B
gene (TCRBV) usage and
complementary-determining region 3 length assessment. Repertories were
assessed at baseline and at weeks 2, 4, 12, 24, and 72 after initiation
of therapy. Early administration of highly active antiretroviral
therapy has a positive effect on the preservation and homeostasis of
the CD8+ cell repertoire. Nevertheless, differences from
average baseline and control TCR profiles and initial development of
repertoire perturbations were observed. The findings suggest that
additional therapeutic protocols will be required during primary
infection to significantly prevent long-term erosion of the
T-cell-mediated immune response.
