Lack of correlation between the size of HIV proviral DNA reservoir and the level of immune activation in HIV-infected patients with a sustained undetectable HIV viral load for 10 years

BackgroundThe persistence of HIV residual replication in patients with an undetectable plasma viral load (pVL) may limit immune recovery and facilitate inflammation-induced comorbidities.ObjectiveThe objective was to evaluate any correlation between immune restoration and intracellular [IC] HIV-DNA in cART-treated patients with a sustained undetectable pVL.Study designThis retrospective cross sectional study included 62 patients with a median duration of undetectable pVL of 10.3 years. IC HIV DNA in peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PBMCs) and T cell subsets were measured at the last visit. pVL, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts were retrospectively collected from the onset of long-term inhibition by antiretroviral treatment. The patients were separated into two groups: 27 non-blippers (sustained pVL < threshold value during all the visits) and 35 blippers (≥1 episodes of pVL > threshold but <1000 copies/ml). The median pVL in blippers was 115 copies/ml.ResultsThe median IC HIV DNA rate was 34 copies/106 PBMCs (71% ≥20 copies/106 PBMCs) with no significant difference between the groups. The proportion of CD8+CD38+ and CD8+DR+ T cells was higher in blipper patients, but the difference was only significant for the CD8+DR+ marker (p = 0.036). No correlation was found between markers of immune activation on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and the IC HIV-DNA level.ConclusionNo relation was found between the size of HIV reservoirs and immune activation in patients with sustained undetectable pVL. Mechanisms of immune activation have to be better understood in order to define specific therapeutic interventions.