Enhancement of HIV-1 specific CTL responses during structured treatment interuptions (STI) following treated acute HIV-1-infection is associated with control of HIV-1 viremia.
Int Conf AIDS 2000 Jul 9-14; 13:(abstract no. ThOrB750)
Altfeld M, Rosenberg ES, Mukherjee J, Eldridge RL, Poon SH, Phillips MN, Brander C, Goulder PJ, Walker BD M. Altfeld, 149 13th Street, ID Unit, 5th floor, Charlestown, MA 02129-2000, United States, Tel.: +(1)-617-724-2461, Fax: +(1)-617-726-5411, E-mail: maltfeld@partners.org
Early intervention with HAART during acute HIV-1 infection has been shown to augment HIV-1 specific T helper cell responses, but the effects on the breadth and magnitude of CTL responses have not yet been well defined. We assessed epitope- specific CTL responses longitudinally in subjects with treated acute HIV-1 infection. Meager CTL responses were detected in 7/13 subjects prior to seroconversion and in 10/13 individuals at 2 months of HAART, which then declined during the first year of treatment. Lower viral load at presentation was associated with greater breadth of initial CTL responses. Subsequent STI led to an increase in both breadth and magnitude of responses, which persisted after reinstitution of HAART. In 5/5 subjects undergoing further STI, viral load was controlled spontaneously without antiretroviral treatment. These data provide firm evidence that the CTL response to HIV-1 can be augmented in infected individuals and is associated with control of HIV-1 viremia. Data on additional subjects from this cohort undergoing STI will be presented at the meeting.
Keywords: AEGIS, HIV-1, Viremia, Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active, Viral Load, HIV Infections, T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer, Drug Therapy, Combination, Epitopes, prevention & control, therapy, immunology, drug therapy 000709
ThOrB750
