CD16 and CD57 expressing gamma delta T cells in acute HIV-1 infection are associated with the development of neutralization breadth.

New HIV vaccine approaches are focused on eliciting broadly neutralizing antibodies. We characterized early gamma-delta (γδ) T cell responses starting from pre-acquisition and during acute HIV infection (AHI) in participants previously characterized for neutralization breadth development. We found s...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Gina L Griffith, Kawthar Machmach, Ningbo Jian, Dohoon Kim, Margaret C Costanzo, Matthew Creegan, Isabella Swafford, Gautam Kundu, Lauren Yum, Jessica S Bolton, Lauren Smith, Bonnie M Slike, Elke S Bergmann-Leitner, Rasmi Thomas, Nelson L Michael, Julie A Ake, Leigh Anne Eller, Merlin L Robb, Samantha M Townsley, Shelly J Krebs, Dominic Paquin-Proulx, RV217 Study Group
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS Pathogens
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1012916
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:New HIV vaccine approaches are focused on eliciting broadly neutralizing antibodies. We characterized early gamma-delta (γδ) T cell responses starting from pre-acquisition and during acute HIV infection (AHI) in participants previously characterized for neutralization breadth development. We found significant differences in γδ T cell surface marker expression in participants that developed neutralization breadth compared to those that did not. Activation of γδ T cells occurred within the first weeks of HIV acquisition and associated with viral load. Expression of CD16 on Vδ1 T cells and CD57 on Vδ2 T cells were found to be significantly higher in broad neutralizers during AHI, and associated with the development of neutralization breadth years later. In addition, the levels of CD16 on Vδ1 T cells was associated with early production of founder virus Env-specific IgM. Thus, γδ T cells may promote development of neutralization breadth, which has implications for HIV vaccine strategies.
ISSN:1553-7366
1553-7374