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. 2025 Jul 1;39(8):946-956.
doi: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000004185. Epub 2025 Mar 19.

Increased frequency of Foxp3 + CD8 + T cells is associated with disease progression during HIV infection

Leidan Zhang  1   2   3   4   5 , Hongxin Zhao  1 , Na Chen  1   2   3   4 , Xinyue Wang  2   3   4 , Juan Du  2   3   4 , Di Wang  1 , Ying Liu  1 , Yuqing Wei  2   3   4 , Mengyuan Zhang  2   3   4 , Meiju Deng  1 , Meiqing Jiang  2   3   4 , Yaxian Kong  2   3   4
Affiliations

Increased frequency of Foxp3 + CD8 + T cells is associated with disease progression during HIV infection

Leidan Zhang et al. AIDS. .

Abstract

Objectives: Recent years have witnessed unprecedented strides in comprehending non-CD4 regulatory T cells (Tregs), such as CD8 + Tregs and double-negative T cells (DNT cells), and their role in sustaining immune tolerance and restricting immune activation. This study investigates the role of Foxp3 + CD8 + T cells during HIV infection and assess the markers associated with CD4 + Tregs.

Design: This study was designed as a cross-sectional cohort study, comprising 21 age-matched healthy controls, 122 treatment-naive participants, and 60 people with HIV (PWH) receiving successful treatment (antiretroviral therapies, ARTs).

Methods: The frequency of Foxp3 + CD8 + T cells was assessed alongside CD4 + Treg-associated markers and plasma inflammatory factor levels.

Results: Foxp3 + CD8 + T cells were enriched in PWH with CD4 + T cell count less than 350 cells/μl and persisted after ART. Moreover, the Foxp3 + CD8 + T cells were correlated with CD4 + T cell count, CD4/CD8 ratio, and the parameters of activation and systematic inflammation in PWH. Moreover, Foxp3 + CD8 + T cells expressed different levels of Tregs related markers compared to CD4 + Tregs and Foxp3 + DNT cells.

Conclusion: The Foxp3 + CD8 + T cells are associated with HIV disease progression and employ distinct mechanisms to exert their functions.

Keywords: Foxp3; HIV; immune activation; immune regulation.

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