B cell dysfunction is a well-studied complication of HIV infection in adults. Data on B cell differentiation in normal and HIV-infected children are lacking. We show the distribution of B cell subsets and immunoglobulin levels in HIV-infected children compared with controls. Furthermore, we observe the long-term B cell reconstitution of vaccine-specific immunity after antiretroviral therapy (ART). Phenotype of B cells (naive, non-switched memory, switched memory) was analyzed in 48 infected children and 62 controls. In nine HIV-infected children, functional reconstitution was quantified by tetanus-specific antibodies and by performing a lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) in a longitudinal approach. Switched memory B cells are significantly reduced in HIV-infected children. Vaccine-specific antibodies and response to LTT increase after initiation of ART. Our data indicate a significant dysfunction in the B cell system, despite effective ART. Partial reconstitution of humoral immunity may have therapeutic implications in a subset of HIV-infected children. Copyright © 2009 International Pediatric Research Foundation, Inc.
CITATION STYLE
Ghosh, S., Feyen, O., Jebran, A. F., Huck, K., Jetzek-Zader, M., Bas, M., & Niehues, T. (2009). Memory B cell function in HIV-infected children-decreased memory B cells despite ART. Pediatric Research, 66(2), 185–190. https://doi.org/10.1203/PDR.0b013e3181aa057d
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