CD8+ T-Cell Interleukin-7 Receptor Alpha Expression as a Potential Indicator of Disease Status in HIV-Infected Children
2008

CD8+ T-Cell CD127 Expression in HIV-Infected Children

Sample size: 48 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Tanvi S. Sharma, Jane Hughes, Amarylis Murillo, Joanne Riley, Andreia Soares, Francesca Little, Charles D. Mitchell, Willem A. Hanekom

Primary Institution: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Hypothesis

CD127 expression on CD8+ T-cells is lower in children with more advanced disease.

Conclusion

CD8+ T-cell CD127 expression is significantly higher in children with better HIV disease control and may serve as an immunologic indicator of disease status.

Supporting Evidence

  • There was a strong positive correlation between CD127 expression on CD8+ T-cells and CD4+ T-cell count.
  • CD127 expression was negatively correlated with viral load.
  • CD127 expression on CD8+ T-cells may be a more reliable marker of HIV-induced immunosuppression than CD38+ expression.

Takeaway

This study found that a specific marker on immune cells can help doctors understand how well children with HIV are doing. If the marker is high, it usually means the child is healthier.

Methodology

Flow cytometry was used to measure CD127+ expression on CD8+ T-cells in whole blood from HIV-infected children.

Potential Biases

Potential selection bias due to the specific clinic population.

Limitations

The study is cross-sectional and does not establish causation.

Participant Demographics

Participants included 48 HIV-infected children with varying disease statuses, predominantly receiving antiretroviral therapy.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.011

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0003986

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