[HTML][HTML] PD-1 blockade potentiates HIV latency reversal ex vivo in CD4+ T cells from ART-suppressed individuals

R Fromentin, S DaFonseca, CT Costiniuk… - Nature …, 2019 - nature.com
R Fromentin, S DaFonseca, CT Costiniuk, M El-Far, FA Procopio, FM Hecht, R Hoh…
Nature communications, 2019nature.com
HIV persists in latently infected CD4+ T cells during antiretroviral therapy (ART). Immune
checkpoint molecules, including PD-1, are preferentially expressed at the surface of
persistently infected cells. However, whether PD-1 plays a functional role in HIV latency and
reservoir persistence remains unknown. Using CD4+ T cells from HIV-infected individuals,
we show that the engagement of PD-1 inhibits viral production at the transcriptional level
and abrogates T-cell receptor (TCR)-induced HIV reactivation in latently infected cells …
Abstract
HIV persists in latently infected CD4+ T cells during antiretroviral therapy (ART). Immune checkpoint molecules, including PD-1, are preferentially expressed at the surface of persistently infected cells. However, whether PD-1 plays a functional role in HIV latency and reservoir persistence remains unknown. Using CD4+ T cells from HIV-infected individuals, we show that the engagement of PD-1 inhibits viral production at the transcriptional level and abrogates T-cell receptor (TCR)-induced HIV reactivation in latently infected cells. Conversely, PD-1 blockade with the monoclonal antibody pembrolizumab enhances HIV production in combination with the latency reversing agent bryostatin without increasing T cell activation. Our results suggest that the administration of immune checkpoint blockers to HIV-infected individuals on ART may facilitate latency disruption.
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