Quantification of HIV-1-specific T-cell responses at the mucosal cervicovaginal surface. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • OBJECTIVE: To characterize HIV-1 specific cellular immune responses at mucosal surfaces using a rapid, sensitive enzyme-linked immuno-spot (ELISPOT) technique. DESIGN: Cervicovaginal mononuclear cells obtained from cytobrush and cervicovaginal lavage were assessed for production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in response to stimulation by HIV-1 antigens. HIV-1 specific responses were compared in a cross-sectional study of two HIV-1-positive patient groups: women not currently on antiretroviral therapy with peripheral CD4 cell counts > 250 x 10(6)/l (n = 12); and women on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) (n = 9). METHODS: Mononuclear cells from peripheral blood or cervicovaginal specimens were assessed in an ELISPOT assay for responses to HIV-1 antigens expressed by recombinant vaccinia viruses. This assay detects primarily CD8 T cells and shows good correlation with MHC class I tetramer staining of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. RESULTS: HIV-1 specific IFN-gamma spot-forming cells were detected in cervicovaginal samples of one out of nine women (11%) on HAART and five out of 12 women (42%) not currently on HAART. In peripheral blood mononuclear cells, HIV-1 specific IFN-gamma spot-forming cells were significantly more numerous in women not currently on HAART than in women on HAART (P = 0.009). In most cases, antigens recognized by mucosal T cells were also recognized by PBMC; however, there were exceptions. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-1-specific antigen-reactive T cells may be detected in routine, noninvasive gynecological specimens. The results suggest that cervicovaginal HIV-1-specific T cells may be less numerous in individuals on HAART than in those not on HAART, as shown previously for HIV-1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood.

publication date

  • September 8, 2000

Research

keywords

  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes
  • Cervix Uteri
  • HIV Infections
  • HIV-1
  • Immunity, Mucosal
  • Vagina

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0034622954

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1097/00002030-200009080-00005

PubMed ID

  • 10997394

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 14

issue

  • 13