Infrequent Recovery of HIV from but Robust Exogenous Infection of Activated CD4+ T Cells in HIV Elite Controllers

摘要: BACKGROUND. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) elite controllers are able to control infection with HIV-1 spontaneously undetectable levels in the absence of antiretroviral therapy, but mechanisms leading this phenotype poorly understood. Although low frequencies HIV-infected peripheral CD4(+) T cells have been reported group, it remains unclear what extent these due viral attenuation, active immune containment, or intracellular host factors that restrict replication. METHODS. We assessed proviral DNA levels, autologous growth from and infectability vitro activated, CD8(+) cell-depleted HIV (mean load, <50 copies/mL), viremic <2000 chronic progressors, individuals receiving highly therapy. RESULTS. we successfully detected production ex vivo activated all progressors most controllers, were measure robust replication only 2 14 subjected same protocol. In however, supported both X4 R5 tropic strains at comparable those HIV-uninfected subjects. Proviral lowest suggesting extremely infected contribute difficulty isolation virus. CONCLUSIONS. These data indicate is not inability support infection, relative contributions account for maintenance low-level remain be determined.