GB virus C infection is associated with a reduced rate of reactivation of latent HIV and protection against activation-induced T-cell death

Robert T RYDZE; Nirjal BHATTARAI; Jack T STAPLETON

doi:10.3851/IMP2309

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GB virus C infection is associated with a reduced rate of reactivation of latent HIV and protection against activation-induced T-cell death

Journal article

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GB virus C infection is associated with a reduced rate of reactivation of latent HIV and protection against activation-induced T-cell death

Robert T RYDZE, Nirjal BHATTARAI and Jack T STAPLETON

Antiviral therapy, Vol.17(7), pp.1271-1279

2012

DOI: 10.3851/IMP2309

PMCID: PMC3709856

PMID: 22951385

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Abstract

Background: GB virus C (GBV-C) coinfection is associated with reduced immune activation and a block in CD4(+) T-cell proliferation following interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy in HIV-infected individuals. We examined peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from HIV-infected subjects with and without GBV-C viraemia to determine if GBV-C correlated with reactivation of latent HIV, T-cell proliferation or T-cell survival following in vitro activation with phytohaemagglutinin A and IL-2 (PHA/IL-2). Methods: HIV-infected subjects whose HIV viral load was suppressed on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) for >6 months were studied. PBMCs were cultured with and without PHA/IL-2 and monitored for HIV reactivation, proliferation and survival. GBV-C viraemia and in vitro replication were detected by real-time RT-PCR. HIV reactivation was determined by measuring HIV p24 antigen in culture supernatants. Proliferation was measured by counting viable cells and survival measured by flow cytometry. Results: Of 49 HIV-infected individuals, 26 had GBV-C viraemia. Significantly less HIV reactivation and PBMC proliferation following in vitro activation with PHA/IL-2 was observed in samples from GBV-C viraemic subjects compared with non-viraemic controls. Following 5 weeks in culture, GBV-C replication was associated with preservation of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cells compared with non-viraemic controls. Conclusions: GBV-C appears to inhibit immune activation and IL-2 signalling pathways, which might contribute to a reduction in reactivation of latent HIV from cellular reservoirs. In addition, GBV-C viraemia was associated with a reduction in activation-induced T-cell death. GBV-C-associated T-cell effects could contribute to the observed protective effect of GBV-C coinfection in HIV-infected individuals.

Immunopathology

Infectious Diseases

Antiviral agents

Viral diseases

Biological and medical sciences

Medical sciences

Immunodeficiencies

Viral hepatitis

Pharmacology. Drug treatments

Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids

Human viral diseases

Immunodeficiencies. Immunoglobulinopathies

Antibiotics. Antiinfectious agents. Antiparasitic agents

Details

Title: Subtitle: GB virus C infection is associated with a reduced rate of reactivation of latent HIV and protection against activation-induced T-cell death
Creators: Robert T RYDZE - The Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA, United States
Nirjal BHATTARAI - The Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA, United States
Jack T STAPLETON - The Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA, United States
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Antiviral therapy, Vol.17(7), pp.1271-1279
DOI: 10.3851/IMP2309
PMID: 22951385
PMCID: PMC3709856
NLM abbreviation: Antivir Ther
ISSN: 1359-6535
eISSN: 2040-2058
Publisher: International Medical Press
Language: English
Date published: 2012
Academic Unit: Microbiology and Immunology; Infectious Diseases; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984094547002771

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