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Thymic Function Impacts the Peripheral CD4/CD8 Ratio of HIV-Infected Subjects

I Rosado-Sánchez1, I Herrero-Fernández1, M Genebat1

  • 1Laboratory of Immunovirology, Clinic Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville, IBiS, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital/CSIC/University of Seville, Seville 41013, Spain.

Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
|December 18, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Preserved thymic function before treatment is crucial for normalizing the CD4/CD8 ratio in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals. Higher baseline thymic volume predicts better CD4 T cell recovery and CD8 T cell reduction post-treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Persistent inverted CD4/CD8 ratio in chronic HIV infection correlates with increased morbidity and mortality.
  • Thymic function is vital for maintaining T cell homeostasis.
  • The study investigates the role of thymic function in HIV-infected individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the impact of thymic function on the CD4/CD8 ratio in HIV-infected subjects.
  • To assess the relationship between thymic volume and CD4/CD8 ratio dynamics during antiretroviral therapy.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 53 antiretroviral-naive HIV-infected subjects was studied.
  • Thymic volume, a marker of thymic function, was measured at baseline and at 12, 24, and 48 weeks post-antiretroviral treatment.
  • CD4/CD8 ratio, CD4 T cell counts, and CD8 T cell counts were monitored.

Main Results:

  • Baseline thymic volume was significantly associated with the CD4/CD8 ratio, influenced by CD4 T cell levels.
  • In subjects with undetectable viral load, higher baseline thymic volume correlated with increased CD4 T cell counts and decreased CD8 T cell counts.
  • Baseline thymic volume independently predicted the normalization of the CD4/CD8 ratio after 96 weeks of treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Remaining thymic function prior to treatment initiation is important for the CD4/CD8 ratio in HIV-infected individuals.
  • Thymic function may influence the clinical progression of HIV infection.
  • Preserving thymic function could be a target for improving outcomes in HIV management.
Abstract

Keywords:
CD4/CD8 ratioHIVantiretroviral naive.delta-TRECsthymic function

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