A novel mechanism linking memory stem cells with innate immunity in protection against HIV-1 infection

作者:Wang Yufei; Whittall Trevor; Neil Stuart; Britton Gary; Mistry Mukesh; Rerks Ngarm Supachai; Pitisuttithum Punnee; Kaewkungwal Jaranit; Nitayaphan Sorachai; Yu Xuesong; Sato Alicia; O'Connell Robert J; Michael Nelson L; Robb Merlin L; Kim Jerome H; Lehner Thomas*
来源:Scientific Reports, 2017, 7(1): 1057.
DOI:10.1038/s41598-017-01188-3

摘要

HIV infection affects 37 million people and about 1.7 million are infected annually. Among the phase III clinical trials only the RV144 vaccine trial elicited significant protection against HIV-1 acquisition, but the efficacy and immune memory were inadequate. To boost these vaccine functions we studied T stem cell memory (TSCM) and innate immunity. TSCM cells were identified by phenotypic markers of CD4(+) T cells and they were further characterised into 4 subsets. These expressed the common IL-2/IL-15 receptors and another subset of APOBEC3G anti-viral restriction factors, both of which were upregulated. In contrast, CD4(+) TSCM cells expressing CCR5 co-receptors and alpha 4 beta 7 mucosal homing integrins were decreased. A parallel increase in CD4(+) T cells was recorded with IL-15 receptors, APOBEC3G and CC chemokines, the latter downmodulating CCR5 molecules. We suggest a novel mechanism of dual memory stem cells; the established sequential memory pathway, TSCM -> Central -> Effector memory CD4(+) T cells and the innate pathway consisting of the 4 subsets of TSCM. Both pathways are likely to be activated by endogenous HSP70. The TSCM memory stem cell and innate immunity pathways have to be optimised to boost the efficacy and immune memory of protection against HIV-1 in the clinical trial.