Progressive reduction of CMV-specific CD4(+) T cells in HIV-1 infected individuals during antiretroviral therapy

Visualization of antigen-specific T cells has become an important tool in s tudying immune responses. The aim of this study was to analyze CMV-specific CD4(+) T cells in healthy and HIV-infected individuals. Peripheral blood m ononuclear cells (PBMC) were examined for antigen-induced intracellular cyt okine responses. We found significant numbers of CMV-specific CD4(+) T cell s detectable in most CMV-IgG* HIV-1 infected individuals, whereas CMV-speci fic CD4(+) T cells could not be demonstrated in CMV-IgG(-) patients. Median frequency of CMV-specific CD4(+) T cells were lower in HIV-infected subjec ts who had been treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) f or more than 1 year than in untreated HIV-infected individuals. In patients under therapy for less than 1 year median CMV-specific CD4(+) T cell respo nder frequency was higher than in subjects treated for more than 1 year but lower than in untreated subjects. HIV suppression with HAART might lead to a progressive reduction of CMV-specific CD4(+) T cells indicating an effic ient elimination of an opportunistic pathogen.