Combination anti-HIV-1 antibody therapy is associated with increased virus-specific T cell immunity

Abstract
Combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) is highly effective in controlling human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 but requires lifelong medication due to the existence of a latent viral reservoir1,2. Potent broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) represent a potential alternative or adjuvant to ART. In addition to suppressing viremia, bNAbs may have T cell immunomodulatory effects as seen for other forms of immunotherapy3. However, this has not been established in individuals who are infected with HIV-1. Here, we document increased HIV-1 Gag-specific CD8+ T cell responses in the peripheral blood of all nine study participants who were infected with HIV-1 with suppressed blood viremia, while receiving bNAb therapy during ART interruption4. Increased CD4+ T cell responses were detected in eight individuals. The increased T cell responses were due both to newly detectable reactivity to HIV-1 Gag epitopes and the expansion of pre-existing measurable responses. These data demonstrate that bNAb therapy during ART interruption is associated with enhanced HIV-1-specific T cell responses. Whether these augmented T cell responses can contribute to bNAb-mediated viral control remains to be determined.
Funding Information
  • Fonds de Recherche du Québec - Santé
  • Gouvernement du Canada | Canadian Institutes of Health Research (15977, 15049, 152536, 152977)
  • U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | National Institutes of Health (AI144462, 1P30AI124414-01A1, 1P30AI124414-01A1, 1P30AI124414-01A1, 1P30AI124414-01A1, 1P30AI124414-01A1, 1P30AI124414-01A1, 1P30AI124414-01A1, AI126620, 1P30AI124414-01A1, 1P30AI124414-01A1, R01AI-129795, AI-144462)
  • Einstein-Rockefeller-CUNY Center for AIDS Research
  • Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (OPP1092074, OPP1124068)