Changes in T-cell subsets in HIV-HCV-coinfected patients during pegylated interferon-α2a plus ribavirin treatment

Abstract

Background: We evaluated the effect of different doses of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN)-α2a/ribavirin (RBV) on several T-cell activation markers in HIV-HCV-coinfected patients and their relationship with changes in plasma HCV RNA. Methods: Frozen peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 22 patients receiving two different PEG-IFN-α2a schedules were analysed by six-colour flow cytometry. Cell-surface expression of CD38 was quantified. HIV and HCV viral loads, as well as absolute CD4 + and CD8 + T-cell counts, were recorded during the follow up (72 weeks). Results: PEG-IFN-α2a/RBV treatment decreased the absolute numbers of CD8 + and CD4 + T-cells. The decrease in CD8 + T-cells was more pronounced, resulting in increased percentages of CD4 + T-cells. Percentages of naive/memory CD4 + T-cell subsets remained unchanged, although the percentage of CD38 + CD45RO + cells significantly increased. By contrast, the CD8 + T-cell compartment significantly reduced the percentage of CD45RO + cells and HLA-DR + cells, whereas the percentage of CD38 expressing cells was increased because of a significant increase in cell-surface CD38 expression. Changes in CD8 + T-cells were similar for both PEG-IFN-α2a/RBV doses, but high doses induced more severe perturbations in CD4 + T-cells. All changes returned to baseline levels after treatment cessation and, except for the loss of naive CD4 + T-cells, were not associated with virological response. Conclusions: Transient lymphopaenia induced by PEGIFN-α2a/RBV differentially affects T-cell subsets. Activated HLA-DR + and CD45RO + cells were selectively reduced in peripheral blood, whereas CD38 expression was up-regulated mainly in memory cells. Increasing PEG-IFN-α2a/RBV doses mainly affect CD4 + T-cells but failed to modify clinical outcome. ©2010 International Medical Press.