γδ T-cell responses during HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy

Abstract

HIV infection is associated with a rapid and sustained inversion of the Vδ1:Vδ2 T-cell ratio in peripheral blood. Studies of antiretroviral therapy (ART)-treated cohorts suggest that ART is insufficient to reconstitute either the frequency or function of the γδ T-cell subset. Recent advances are now beginning to shed light on the relationship between microbial translocation, chronic inflammation, immune ageing and γδ T-cell immunology. Here, we review the impact of acute, chronic untreated and treated HIV infection on circulating and mucosal γδ T-cell subsets and highlight novel approaches to harness γδ T cells as components of anti-HIV immunotherapy.