Restoration of anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) responses in CD8+ T cells from late-stage patients on prolonged antiretroviral therapy by stimulation in vitro with HIV-1 protein-loaded dendritic cells

We demonstrate that dendritic cells loaded in vitro with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protein liposome complexes activate HLA class I-restricted anti HTV-1 cytotoxic T-lymphocyte and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) responses in autologous CD8(+) T cells from late-stage HIV-1-infected patients on prolonged combination drug therapy. Interleukin-12 enhanced this effect through an interleukin-2- and IFN-gamma -mediated pathway. This suggests that dendritic cells from HTV-1-infected persons can be engineered to evoke stronger anti-HIV CD8(+) T-cell reactivity as a strategy to augment antiretroviral therapy.