Characteristics of lymphocyte subsets in HIV-infected, long-term nonprogressor, and healthy Asian children through 12 years of age

Abstract

Background: There are limited data on the immune profiles of HIV-positive children compared with healthy controls, and no such data for Asian children.

Objectives: To immunophenotype HIV-positive Asian children, including long-term nonprogressors (LTNPs), compared with age-matched healthy controls.

Methods: We used flow cytometry to analyze 13 lymphocyte and monocyte subsets from 222 untreated, HIV-positive children with 15% to 24% CD4(+) T cells and no AIDS-related illnesses and 142 healthy children (controls). Data were compared among age categories. Profiles from LTNPs (n = 50), defined as children ≥8 years old with CD4(+) T-cell counts ≥350 cells/mm(3), were compared with data from age-matched non-LTNPs (n = 17) and controls (n = 53).

Results: Compared with controls, HIV-positive children had lower values (cell count per mm(3) and percent distribution) for T(H) cells and higher values for cytotoxic T cells, with reductions in populations of naive T(H) and cytotoxic T cells, B cells, and natural killer (NK) cells. HIV-positive children had high values for activated T(H) and cytotoxic T cells. Compared with non-LTNPs, LTNPs had higher values of T(H) and cytotoxic T cells, naive and memory T-cell subsets, and B and NK cells. Surprisingly, counts of activated T(H) and cytotoxic T cells were also higher among LTNPs. LNTPs were more frequently male.

Conclusion: Untreated, HIV-infected Asian children have immune profiles that differ from those of controls, characterized by low values for T(H) cells, naive T cells, B cells, and NK cells but high values for cytotoxic, activated T(H), and cytotoxic T cells. The higher values for activated T cells observed in LTNPs require confirmation in longitudinal studies.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00234091.

Figures 1A to 1E. Comparison of cell subsets among 4 age groups of HIV-negative and HIV-positive children

Figure 1A: CD45+/3+/19- (Total T cells), Figure 1B: CD45+/3+/4+ (Helper T cells), Figure 1C: CD45+/3+/8+ (Cytotoxic T cells), Figure 1D: CD45+/3-/19+ (B cells), Figure 1E: CD45+/3-/16+/56+ (Natural killer cells). Asterisk * denotes P value < 0.05. Number of children: <2-3 years (n=79), 4-5 years (n=74), 6-8 years (n=135), 9-12 years (n=76).

Figures 1A to 1E. Comparison of cell subsets among 4 age groups of HIV-negative and HIV-positive children

Figure 1A: CD45+/3+/19- (Total T cells), Figure 1B: CD45+/3+/4+ (Helper T cells), Figure 1C: CD45+/3+/8+ (Cytotoxic T cells), Figure 1D: CD45+/3-/19+ (B cells), Figure 1E: CD45+/3-/16+/56+ (Natural killer cells). Asterisk * denotes P value < 0.05. Number of children: <2-3 years (n=79), 4-5 years (n=74), 6-8 years (n=135), 9-12 years (n=76).

Figures 1A to 1E. Comparison of cell subsets among 4 age groups of HIV-negative and HIV-positive children

Figure 1A: CD45+/3+/19- (Total T cells), Figure 1B: CD45+/3+/4+ (Helper T cells), Figure 1C: CD45+/3+/8+ (Cytotoxic T cells), Figure 1D: CD45+/3-/19+ (B cells), Figure 1E: CD45+/3-/16+/56+ (Natural killer cells). Asterisk * denotes P value < 0.05. Number of children: <2-3 years (n=79), 4-5 years (n=74), 6-8 years (n=135), 9-12 years (n=76).