The activation and dynamics of cytokine expression by CD4+ T cells and AIDS progression in HIV-1-infected Chinese individuals

► HIV-1+ Chinese individuals, including TPs and LTNPs were included in the study. ► A modified co-cultures model was used to obtain more HIV-1-infected CD4+ T cells. ► More productive HIV-1 infection occurred in Th1 cells in HIV-1+ individuals. ► The excessive activation of CD4+ T cells was crucial to AIDS progression. ► The preferential replication of HIV-1 in Th1 cells was crucial to AIDS progression.