Characteristics of HIV-1-specific CD8 T-cell responses and their role in loss of viremia in children chronically infected with HIV-1 undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Background: Few studies have examined the properties of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) epitope-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses in children. To address this issue, we characterized epitope-specific CTL responses and analyzed the determinants that may affect CTL responses before and after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in children with HIV-1 infection.

Methods: A total of 22 HIV-1-infected children and 23 uninfected healthy children as control were enrolled in the study.

[Identification of circulating plasmacytoid dendritic cells in chronic HBV-infected patients].

Objective: To investigate the features of circulating plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) in patients with chronic hepatitis B for a better understanding of the immunopathogenesis of HBV infection.

Methods: Fresh blood samples were collected from 20 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and from 15 healthy individuals who served as controls. pDCs were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using immunomagnetic assay and detected by flow cytometry.

[The characterization of regulatory T cells in peripheral blood of HBV-infected patients].

Objective: CD4(+)CD25(high) regulatory T cells (Treg) have been shown to play an important role in maintaining peripheral tolerance against self and foreign antigens, and in suppressing T cell immune response. Our aim was to characterize circulating Treg in HBV-infected patients.

Methods: Treg in peripheral blood from 72 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, 16 acute hepatitis B (AHB) patients and 32 healthy subjects were quantitatively analyzed using flow cytometry.