Percentage of CD3+CD4-CD8-γδTCR- T cells is increased by HIV disease

HIV patients given highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) experience a rapid rise in alpha betaT cell numbers, but changes in gamma deltaT cell populations have not been described. Here we investigate the effects of immune reconstitution and immune restoration diseases (IRDs) on expression of a pan-gamma deltad T cell receptor (TCR) marker on double-negative (CD3(+)CD4(-)CD8(-)) T cells and T cells expressing CD4 or CD8. IRDs are inflammatory disorders associated with preexisting infections in patients who have achieved immune reconstitution after HAART. Proportions of CD3(+)CD4(-)CD8(-) T cells and total gamma deltaT cells were not affected by CD4(+) T cell counts, HAART, or a history of IRD, but levels of CD4(-)CD8(-)gamma delta TCR- T cells were higher in patients with <15% CD4(+) T cells.