ACTIVATION AND CELL-CYCLE ANTIGENS IN CD4(-CELLS CORRELATE WITH PLASMA HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS (HIV-1) RNA LEVEL IN HIV-1 INFECTION() AND CD8(+) T)

The relationship between T cell activation and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication was studied in HIV-infected subjects, 20 with and 10 without anti-HIV treatment, Expression of Ki-67 prolif eration-associated antigen was increased in CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells and correlated with HLA-DR. In subjects without anti-HIV treatment, th e plasma HIV-1 RNA level correlated with HLA-DR in CD4(+) T cells, wit h Ki-67 in CD8(+) T cells, and with expression of CD38 in both T cell subsets. A proportion of treated subjects had increased T cell activat ion despite 4 months of highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) , In subjects receiving HAART, a high percentage of HLA-DR+ CD4(+) T c ells was associated with signs of opportunistic infections. This work supports the concept that, in the natural course of HIV-1 infection, H IV replication itself leads to general T cell activation and that oppo rtunistic infections generate additional CD4(+) T cell activation and HIV replication.