Circulating CXCR5-Expressing CD8+ T-Cells Are Major Producers of IL-21 and Associate With Limited HIV Replication

Abstract

Despite advances made with the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in the control of the HIV 1 infection, a cure has not been achieved because of the persistence of viral reservoirs. The major HIV reservoirs remain in the lymphoid follicles because of, among other factors, the partial absence of CD8+ T-cells in these structures. Recently, lymphoid follicle–confined and circulating CD8+ T-cells expressing the C-X-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CXCR5) were described, possessing antiviral mechanisms that could help to control HIV replication.