Lipid metabolic reprogramming of hepatic CD4⁺ T cells during SIV infection

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection may cause liver diseases, associated with inflammation and tissue injury, contributing to comorbidity in people living with HIV. Paradoxically, the contribution of hepatic CD4⁺ T cells remains largely underestimated. Herein, we used the model of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected rhesus macaques to access liver tissue. Our work demonstrates that hepatic CD4⁺ T cells express CCR5, the main viral coreceptor, and are infected. Viral infection is associated with the presence of inflamed and activated hepatic CD4⁺ T cells expressing cytotoxic molecules. Furthermore, hepatic CD4⁺ T cells are reprogrammed toward lipid metabolism after SIV infection. Altogether, our findings shed new light on hepatic CD4⁺ T cell profile that could contribute to liver injury following viral infection.