VIGOROUS HIV-1-SPECIFIC CD4(-CELL RESPONSES ASSOCIATED WITH CONTROL OF VIREMIA() T)

Virus-specific CD4(+) T helper lymphocytes are critical to the mainten ance of effective immunity in a number of chronic viral infections, bu t are characteristically undetectable in chronic human immunodeficienc y virus-type 1 (HIV-1) infection. In individuals who control viremia i n the absence of antiviral therapy, polyclonal, persistent, and vigoro us HIV-1-specific CD4(+) T cell proliferative responses were present, resulting in the elaboration of interferon-gamma and antiviral beta ch emokines. In persons with chronic infection, HIV-1-specific proliferat ive responses to p24 were inversely related to viral load. Strong HIV- 1-specific proliferative responses were also detected following treatm ent of acutely infected persons with potent antiviral therapy. The HIV -1-specific helper cells are likely to be important in immunotherapeut ic interventions and vaccine development.