J Leukoc Biol. 2016 Dec; 100(6):1425-1433.

PubMed ID: 27406996

Elite controller CD8+ T cells exhibit comparable viral inhibition capacity, but better sustained effector properties compared to chronic progressors

Shasha D, Karel D, Angiuli O, Greenblatt A, Ghebremichael M, Yu X, Porichis F, Walker BD

Mechanisms modulating HIV-specific CD8+ T cell-mediated viral inhibition are not well defined. To delineate features of effective control, we compared the ability of CD8+ T cells from HIV ECs and CPs to inhibit HIV ex vivo. ECs showed superior inhibition compared to HAART-treated or untreated CPs in a typical VIA in which CD8+ T cells are rested 3 d before use (P = 0.025). In contrast, comparable antiviral activity was observed in freshly thawed cells. Rested CD8+ T cells underwent apoptosis with preferential loss of HIV-specific cells. EC CD8+ T cells showed greater capacity to sustain polyfunctionality ex vivo compared with those of CPs, and incubation of CD8+ T cells with IL-15 augmented inhibition. These results indicate that superior ex vivo inhibition of viral replication by CD8+ T cells from ECs is associated with enhanced retention of functional qualities and that in vitro antiviral function is enhanced by IL-15.