Predictors of HIV-specific lymphocyte proliferative immune responses induced by therapeutic vaccination

Clin Exp Immunol. 2002 May;128(2):359-64. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2249.2002.01835.x.

Abstract

We treated a cohort of 38 HIV-infected individuals with a therapeutic vaccine (REMUNE, HIV-1 Immunogen) in an open label study. We then determined whether baseline parameters, such as CD4 cell count, viral load and IgG levels, were predictive of the magnitude of the HIV-specific lymphocyte proliferative responses (LPRs). We demonstrate herein that there is a significant enhancement from baseline for both HIV and p24 antigen-stimulated LPRs after immunization. Using a responder definition of a stimulation index of >5 on at least two post-immunization time-points, 29/38 (76%) responded to HIV-1 antigen while 27/38 (71%) responded to native p24 antigen. Viral load and total IgG were negatively correlated, while CD4 cell counts were positively associated with the magnitude of the HIV antigen LPR. In a multivariable analysis, baseline CD4 was the best predictor of HIV antigen LPR post-immunization.

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Vaccines / immunology*
  • AIDS Vaccines / therapeutic use
  • CD4 Antigens / immunology
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • HIV Antigens / immunology
  • HIV Infections / blood
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV Infections / therapy*
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Lymphocyte Activation*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • Viral Load

Substances

  • AIDS Vaccines
  • CD4 Antigens
  • HIV Antigens
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • remune