The relationship between T cell proliferative responses and plasma viremiaduring treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection with combination antiretroviral therapy

The relationship between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 replicat ion and CD4(+) T cell function was examined. T lymphocyte proliferation in response to both HIV-1 antigens and recall antigens was measured in HIV-1-i nfected individuals before and after they received highly active antiretrov iral therapy (HAART). No correlation was observed between baseline viral lo ad or CD4(+) T cell count and the T cell proliferative response to HIV-1 Ga g. Suppression of viremia was not associated with an increase in T cell pro liferative responses. Emergence of viral replication during short periods o f intermittent therapy promoted generalized activation of T helper lymphocy tes, manifested by increased T cell proliferative responses to HIV-1 Gag an d recall antigens. Recovery of CD4(+) T cell responses occurred in some ind ividuals who initiated HAART years after infection and who were intermitten tly adherent to drug treatment. Thus, CD4(+) T cell responses can sometimes be regenerated if viral load is suppressed to allow some immune recovery a nd if antigenic stimulation is later provided.