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Updated: Apr 5, 2026
In Vitro Assay to Evaluate the Impact of Immunoregulatory Pathways on HIV-specific CD4 T Cell Effector Function
Published on: October 15, 2013
T-lymphocyte subset dynamics in well-treated HIV-infected men during a bout of exhausting exercise
Carsten Dirksen1,2, Birgitte R Hansen1,2, Lilian Kolte1,2
1a From the Clinical Research Centre, University of Copenhagen , Hvidovre , Denmark.
Abstract:
In healthy individuals the substantial lymphocytosis during a bout of exhausting exercise constitutes primarily mature T cells from the peripheral lymphoid organs but naïve T cells are also recruited. This study investigated whether the defective CD4 + T-lymphocyte count in peripheral blood during rest in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients would also be observed following a maximal output ergometer bicycle test. At rest, in 45 well-treated HIV-infected patients, mature and naïve CD4 + T-lymphocyte counts were decreased whereas the less immune active CD8 + T lymphocytes were increased compared with 10 healthy control subjects. In response to exercise mature and naïve CD4 + T lymphocytes increased less and mature and naïve CD8 + T lymphocytes increased most in HIV-infected patients. In conclusion, defective resting mature and naïve CD4 + T lymphocytes in well-treated HIV-infected patients are also reflected in defective acutely mobilized active immune cells following exhausting exercise. The CD4 + T-lymphocyte count is highly sensitive to physical activity.
