Tryptophan catabolism and immune activation in primary and chronic HIV infection.

BACKGROUND: Kynurenine/Tryptophan ratio (KTR) is increased in HIV infection, and linked to immune activation. We hypothesized that early cART initiation results in lower KTR compared to late initiation. Furthermore, we hypothesized that KTR prior to cART is a predictor of the magnitude of subsequent reduction in immune activation. METHODS: Prospective study including 57 HIV-infected individuals (primary HIV infection (N = 14), early presenters (>350 CD4+ T cells/µL, N = 24), late presenters (<200 CD4+ T cells/µL, N = 19)). Kynurenine and tryptophan were analysed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Total CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were determined and proportion of activated CD38 + HLA-DR+ Tcells was measured using flow cytometry at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of cART. RESULTS: At baseline, primary HIV infection had higher KTR than early presenters. However, similar KTR in primary HIV infection and early presenters was found after cART initiation, while late presenters had higher KTR at all time points. In primary HIV infection and early presenters, KTR was positively associated with proportion of activated cells at baseline. Furthermore, in early presenters the KTR at baseline was associated with proportion of activated cells after 6 and 12 months. Interestingly, in primary HIV infection the KTR at baseline was positively associated with reduction in proportion of CD8 + CD38 + HLA-DR T cells after 6 and 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Lower kynurenine/tryptophan ratio during follow-up was found after early initiation of cART. KTR in primary HIV infection and early presenters was positively associated with immune activation. Importantly, KTR in primary HIV infection predicted the magnitude of subsequent reduction in immune activation. Thus, a beneficial effect of early cART on KTR was suggested.

Inflammation-Induced Changes in Circulating T-Cell Subsets and Cytokine Production During Human Endotoxemia.

Observational clinical studies suggest the initial phase of sepsis may involve impaired cellular immunity. In the present study, we investigated temporal changes in T-cell subsets and T-cell cytokine production during human endotoxemia. Endotoxin (Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide 4 ng/kg) was administered intravenously in 15 healthy volunteers. Peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected at baseline and after 2, 4, 6, 8, and 24 hours for flow cytometry. CD4+CD25+CD127lowFoxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), CD4+CD161+ cells, and activated Human leukocyte antigen, HLA-DR+CD38+ T cells were determined. Ex vivo whole-blood cytokine production and Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 expression on Tregs were measured. Absolute number of CD3+CD4+ (P = .026), CD3+CD8+ (P = .046), Tregs (P = .023), and CD4+CD161+ cells (P = .042) decreased after endotoxin administration. The frequency of anti-inflammatory Tregs increased (P = .033), whereas the frequency of proinflammatory CD4+CD161+ cells decreased (P = .034). Endotoxemia was associated with impaired whole-blood production of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-10, IL-6, IL-17, IL-2, and interferon-γ in response to phytohaemagglutinin but did not affect TLR4 expression on Tregs. No changes in the absolute count or frequency of BALF T cells were observed. Systemic inflammation is associated with lymphopenia, a relative increase in the frequency of anti-inflammatory Tregs, and a functional impairment of T-cell cytokine production.

Immune recovery in acute and chronic HIV infection and the impact of thymic stromal lymphopoietin.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic primary HIV infection is associated with an adverse prognosis, and immediate initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) is recommended. However, little is known about immunological predictors of immune recovery. Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a cytokine that promotes CD4+ T cells homeostatic polyclonal proliferation and regulates Th17/regulatory T-cell balance, immunological functions known to be affected during primary HIV infection. The aim of this study was to describe immune recovery in primary and chronic HIV infection and possible impact of TSLP. METHODS: Prospective study including 100 HIV-infected individuals (primary HIV infection (N = 14), early presenters (>350 CD4+ T cells/µL, N = 42), late presenters without advanced disease (200-350 CD4+ T cells/µL, N = 24) and with advanced disease (<200 CD4+ T cells/µL, N = 20) and). Immune recovery was defined as increase in CD4+ T cells count from baseline to a given time of follow-up. Plasma TSLP was determined using ELISA and CD4+ T cell subpopulations (recent thymic emigrants, naïve and memory cells) were measured using flow cytometry at baseline and after 6, 12 and 24 months of cART. RESULTS: Immune recovery was comparable in all groups, and no differences in immune homeostasis were found between primary HIV infection and early presenters, whereas differences in absolute counts and proportions of CD4+ T cell subpopulations were found between primary HIV infection and late presenters. TSLP was elevated in primary HIV infection at baseline and after 24 months of cART. Interestingly, TSLP was negatively associated with proportion of recent thymic emigrants (correlation coefficient -0.60, p = 0.030). TSLP was not associated with immune recovery in primary HIV infection. CONCLUSIONS: Immune recovery was comparable in primary and chronic HIV infection whereas differences in absolute counts and proportions of CD4+ T cell subpopulations were found between primary HIV infection and late presenters supporting early initiation of cART. Higher plasma TSLP was found in primary HIV infection, and TSLP was associated with lower thymic output, but not with immune recovery. These findings indicate a possible role of TSLP in immune homeostasis in HIV infection but do not support TSLP to affect immune recovery in primary HIV infection.

T cell subsets in human airways prior to and following endobronchial administration of endotoxin.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Bronchial instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) provides a reversible model of lung inflammation that may resemble early stages of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We investigated the distributions of T-cell subsets in the human airways and sought to determine whether pro- and anti-inflammatory T cells are involved in the local immune response to lung inflammation. METHODS: Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed in 15 healthy volunteers, after which Escherichia coli LPS (4 ng/kg) was administered. BAL was repeated at 2, 4, 6, 8 or 24 h after instillation of LPS. RESULTS: BALF CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were characterized by expression of activation markers (HLA-DR+CD38+), the proportion of cells expressing naïve markers (CD45RA+CD27+CCR7+) was lower, and that of cells expressing effector memory markers (CD45RA-CD27+CCR7-) was higher, compared with peripheral blood. Bronchial LPS induced a local inflammatory response with recruitment of CD4+ (P=0.014), CD8+ T cells (P=0.034), an increase in the proportion of CD4+CD25+CD127lowFoxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) (P=0.045) and a tendency towards an increase in CD4+CD161+ cells (P=0.071) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: A unique distribution of T cells with little day-to-day variation was found in human airways. An increase in Tregs after endobronchial LPS suggests a role for Tregs during early stages of pulmonary inflammation.

Incomplete immune recovery in HIV infection: mechanisms, relevance for clinical care, and possible solutions.

Treatment of HIV-infected patients with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) usually results in diminished viral replication, increasing CD4⁺ cell counts, a reversal of most immunological disturbances, and a reduction in risk of morbidity and mortality. However, approximately 20% of all HIV-infected patients do not achieve optimal immune reconstitution despite suppression of viral replication. These patients are referred to as immunological nonresponders (INRs). INRs present with severely altered immunological functions, including malfunction and diminished production of cells within lymphopoetic tissue, perturbed frequencies of immune regulators such as regulatory T cells and Th17 cells, and increased immune activation, immunosenescence, and apoptosis. Importantly, INRs have an increased risk of morbidity and mortality compared to HIV-infected patients with an optimal immune reconstitution. Additional treatment to HAART that may improve immune reconstitution has been investigated, but results thus far have proved disappointing. The reason for immunological nonresponse is incompletely understood. This paper summarizes the known and unknown factors regarding the incomplete immune reconstitution in HIV infection, including mechanisms, relevance for clinical care, and possible solutions.

Increased proportions of B cells with spontaneous production of interleukin-10 in HIV-infected individuals are normalized during combination antiretroviral therapy: a longitudinal study.

Interleukin-10 (IL-10)-producing B cells (B10 cells) may inhibit HIV-specific T cells and are elevated in untreated HIV infection. We aimed to determine the effect of combination antiretroviral treatment (cART) on the proportion of B10 cells. Furthermore, we compared B10-cell proportions in HIV-infected progressors and viremic controllers. This was a prospective study including HIV-infected progressors, viremic controllers and healthy controls. Progressors initiating cART were followed for 6 months. Purified B cells were stimulated with CpG, alone or in combination with HIV gp120, and the proportion of B10 cells was measured by flow cytometry. Without stimulation, the B10-cell proportion was higher in progressors than in healthy controls, while viremic controllers and healthy controls had comparable proportions. Moreover, the proportion of CD24hi CD38hi transitional B cells was higher in progressors than in healthy controls. After initiation of cART, the proportion of B10 cells and transitional B cells decreased. In conclusion, progressors had elevated B10-cell proportions, while viremic controllers displayed normal proportions. After initiation of cART, the B10-cell proportion decreased. This could limit B10-cell-mediated suppression of specific CD8+ T-cell responses.

Reduced IL-7R T Cell Expression and Increased Plasma sCD127 in Late Presenting HIV-Infected Individuals.

BACKGROUND: Late presentation of HIV infection is associated with reduced chance of optimal immune recovery after initiating combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Interleukin-7 (IL-7) and the corresponding receptor, IL-7 receptor (IL-7R) made up of CD127 and CD132, are crucial for T cell homeostasis. This study aimed to describe IL-7R and IL-7 before and after initiation of cART in late presenting HIV-infected individuals, and the impact on immune recovery and T cell subset distribution after initiation of cART. METHODS: A total of 100 HIV-infected individuals initiating cART were included in a prospective study. Samples were collected at baseline and after 6, 12, and 24 months of cART. Proportion and expression {[median fluorescence intensity (MFI)]} of IL-7R on T cells, and plasma concentrations of soluble CD127 (sCD127) and IL-7 were determined. RESULTS: The IL-7R expression was reduced in late presenters with CD4 cell count <200 cells per microliter compared with nonlate presenters and healthy controls as demonstrated by lower proportion of CD127 + CD132 + T cells and lower CD127 MFI. In contrast, plasma sCD127 was higher. These differences were partly reversed after suppressive cART. Interestingly, the CD127 MFI on CD4 T cells was found to be a predictor of increased thymic output after 24 months of suppressive cART. CONCLUSIONS: Severely altered IL-7R expression was found in late presenters, and associations between IL-7R expression and thymic output after 24 months of suppressive cART indicate an impact of a IL-7 response for the long term de novo production from thymus.

HIV-specific ADCC improves after antiretroviral therapy and correlates with normalization of the NK cell phenotype.

BACKGROUND: Natural killer (NK) cell phenotype and function have recently gained much attention as playing crucial roles in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). We investigated NK cell function, as measured by ADCC, in HIV-1-positive individuals before and 6 months after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) initiation. METHOD: The ability of antibodies and NK cells to mediate ADCC was investigated separately and in combination in an autologous model. The NK cell subset distribution and NK cell phenotype (ie, expression of maturation and activation markers within NK cell subsets) were analyzed. RESULTS: The ability of NK cells to mediate ADCC was significantly increased after only 6 months of HAART and was not explained by a normalization of NK cell subsets (CD56 CD16 and CD56 CD16 NK cells) but rather by normalization in the frequency of NK cells expressing CCR7 and CD27. For individuals with no increase in ADCC after 6 months of HAART, the frequency of NK cells expressing NKp46 was downregulated. The ability of antibodies to mediate ADCC alone and in combination in an autologous model was not improved. CONCLUSIONS: HAART improves the ability of NK cells to mediate ADCC after 6 months. This improvement does not correlate with general immune restoration, as measured by CD4 T-cell counts, but rather to a decrease in the frequency of NK cells expressing CCR7 and CD27.

No association between rs6897932 in the gene encoding interleukin-7 receptor α and low-grade inflammation or self-reported health - results from the Danish Blood Donor Study.

The T-allele in the single nucleotide polymorphism rs6897932 in the gene encoding the IL-7 receptor α (IL7RA) is associated with reduced risk of autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis and also affects the course of HIV infection. Low-grade inflammation (LGI) and self-reported, health-related quality of life (HRQL) are often associated with chronic diseases and widely used in assessing and monitoring health status. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the T-allele in rs6897932 is associated with reduced risk of LGI (hsCRP 3-10 mg/L), history of infectious mononucleosis (IM), and HRQL in healthy individuals. A total of 17, 293 healthy Danish individuals from the Danish Blood Donor Study were included in the analyses. We tested rs6897932 as a predictor of LGI, self-reported IM, and HRQL in univariable and multivariable models stratified by sex. No associations between rs6897932 and LGI, self-reported IM or HRQL were found in men or women. This suggests that rs6897932 is not associated with general inflammation, and the reported associations between the T-allele in rs6897932 with several autoimmune diseases may be mediated through effects on a restricted part of the immune system.

Regulatory T cells in HIV-infected immunological nonresponders are increased in blood but depleted in lymphoid tissue and predict immunological reconstitution.

BACKGROUND: HIV-infected immunological nonresponders fail to immune reconstitute despite optimal treatment. We hypothesized that regulatory T cells (Tregs) are involved in immunological reconstitution. Tregs and Treg subpopulations were measured in blood and Foxp3 cells in lymphoid tissue, and the impact of Tregs on immunological reconstitution was determined. METHODS: HIV-infected individuals on combination antiretroviral therapy for a minimum of 2 years were included. The study population included 14 immunological nonresponders (INR; CD4 T-cell count <200 cells/µL), 33 intermediate responders (CD4 T-cell count 200-500 cells/µL), 30 responders (CD4 T-cell count >500 cells/µL), and 34 healthy controls. Tregs, Treg subpopulations, and intracellular staining for interleukin 10 in peripheral blood were measured using flow cytometry. Foxp3 cells in lymphoid tissue were evaluated using immunolabeling. The CD4 T-cell count was determined at inclusion and after 1 year of follow-up. RESULTS: INR displayed high percentage of Tregs and activated Tregs in peripheral blood accompanied by a high percentage of Tregs expressing interleukin 10, whereas numbers of Foxp3 cells in lymphoid tissue were low. In contrast, responders resembled healthy controls. Finally, in INR, high level of Tregs in blood and Foxp3 cells in lymphoid tissue were associated with higher level of immunological reconstitution after 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, altered distribution of Tregs was found in INR. Interestingly, high level of Tregs predicted higher level of immunological reconstitution suggesting a role for Tregs in immunological reconstitution.

Immunoregulatory T cells may be involved in preserving CD4 T cell counts in HIV-infected long-term nonprogressors and controllers.

BACKGROUND: HIV-infected controllers control viral replication and maintain normal CD4 T cell counts. Long-term nonprogressors (LTNPs) also maintain normal CD4 T cell counts but have ongoing viral replication. We hypothesized that immunoregulatory mechanisms are involved in preserved CD4 T cell counts in controllers and in LTNPs. METHODS: Twenty HIV-infected viremic controllers, 5 elite controllers (ECs), and 14 LTNPs were included in this cross-sectional study. For comparison, 25 progressors and 34 healthy controls were included. Regulatory T cells (Tregs), Treg subpopulations, CD161+Th17 cells, and CD3+CD8+CD161(high)Tc17 cells in peripheral blood were measured using flow cytometry. Tregs in lymphoid tissue were determined in tonsil biopsies and evaluated using immunolabeling. The production of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß), interleukin (IL)-10, and IL-17 upon stimulation with phytohemagglutinin in peripheral blood was determined by Luminex. RESULTS: All groups of HIV-infected patients displayed similar percentages of Tregs in both peripheral blood and lymphoid tissue. However, a larger percentage of Tregs in ECs and LTNPs were activated compared with that in controls, progressors, and viremic controllers. Further, ECs as the only group of HIV-infected patients, displayed elevated percentages of CD161+Th17 cells, preserved CD3+CD8+CD161(high)Tc17 cells, and preserved IL-10 production. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, Treg percentage was similar in both blood and lymphoid tissue in all groups of patients and controls. However, both ECs and LTNPs displayed a large proportion of activated Tregs suggesting immunoregulatory mechanisms to be involved in preserving CD4 T cell counts in HIV-infected nonprogressors.

Polymorphism in interleukin-7 receptor α gene is associated with faster CD4⁺ T-cell recovery after initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene encoding interleukin-7 receptor α (IL7RA) as predictors for CD4⁺ T-cell change after initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in HIV-infected whites. DESIGN: SNPs in IL7RA were determined in the Danish HIV Cohort Study. METHODS: CD4⁺ T-cell changes were estimated 6 months, 1, 2, and 5 years after initiation of cART in 1683 HIV-infected virally suppressed individuals. Five SNPs in IL7RA were examined as predictors for CD4⁺ T-cell change in the first (0-6 months after initiation of cART) and second phase (>6 months after initiation of cART) of immune recovery. Univariable and multivariable analyses including age, sex, calendar period, CD4⁺ nadir, and baseline CD4⁺ T-cell count and viral load as covariates were performed. RESULTS: Individuals carrying two T-alleles in rs6897932 had faster CD4⁺ T-cell recovery compared with individuals carrying a C-allele in the first phase of immune recovery [mean CD4⁺ T-cell change, cells/µL (95% confidence interval), in TT: 177 (151-203), CT: 131 (119-143), CC: 141 (132-151), P = 0.018]. No isolated effect of rs6897932 on CD4⁺ T-cell change was found in the second phase of immune recovery; however, the initial difference in CD4⁺ T-cell recovery remained during 5 years. The effect was most pronounced in individuals above 40 years of age. CONCLUSION: T-allele homozygosity in rs6897932 is a predictor for faster CD4⁺ T-cell recovery after initiation of cART in HIV-infected whites, however, only in the first phase of immune recovery.

Persisting inflammation and chronic immune activation but intact cognitive function in HIV-infected patients after long-term treatment with combination antiretroviral therapy.

OBJECTIVES: Impaired cognitive function in HIV-infected patients has been suggested. Treatment with combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) restores CD4⁺ cell counts and suppresses viral replication, but immune activation and inflammation may persist. The aim of the study was to examine if cognitive function in HIV-infected patients was related to immune activation and inflammation. METHODS: Sixty-one HIV-infected patients and 31 healthy controls were included. All patients were on treatment with cART, had suppressed viral replication, and had a mean CD4⁺ cell count of 522 cells/µL. Cognitive function was assessed using a test battery of neurocognitive tests. Plasma concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and ß-2-microglobulin were measured. Immune activation (CD8⁺HLR-DR⁺CD38⁺ cells) was determined using flow cytometry. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify relationship between cognitive scores and markers of inflammation and immune activation. RESULTS: HIV-infected patients had intact cognitive function compared with healthy controls. Higher levels of TNF-α, ß-2-microglobulin, and chronic activated CD8⁺ cells were found in HIV-infected patients (P = 0.0002, P < 0.0001, and P = 0.021, respectively). Weak negative correlations were found between chronic activated CD8⁺ cells (ß-coefficient = -0.277, P = 0.044), IL-6 (ß-coefficient = -0.280, P = 0.014), and memory and learning. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-infected patients on cART with undetectable viral load had an increased level of inflammation and immune activation. However, intact cognitive function was found, and only weak correlations were found between cognitive function and markers of inflammation and immune activation, indicating that peripheral inflammation and immune activation are not major drivers of cognitive decay in HIV-infected patients.

Polymorphisms in the interleukin-7 receptor α gene and mortality in untreated HIV-infected individuals.

OBJECTIVES: Recently, polymorphisms in the gene encoding the interleukin-7 receptor α (IL7Rα) have been shown to influence the CD4 cell count in HIV-infected individuals. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in or in close proximity to the IL7Rα on mortality among 152 untreated HIV infected in a Zimbabwean cohort. METHODS: Patients were followed prospectively, median time of follow-up 3.9 year. SNPs were genotyped using competitive allele-specific PCR. Cox regression was used for survival analyses. RESULTS: We found an increased mortality among carriers of the IL7Rα, rs6897932, T-allele (hazard ratio: 2.56 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22-5.35], P=0.013). This association remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, baseline HIV-RNA and baseline CD4 cell count (hazard ratio=2.36 (95% CI 1.06-2.58), P=0.036). CONCLUSION: The results suggest an association between the IL7Rα, rs6897932, T-allele and increased mortality among untreated HIV-infected, Zimbabwean individuals.

Dysregulation of toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 expression on monocytes and upregulation of the frequency of T cells expressing TLR2 in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) initiate inflammatory responses that may play a role in disease progression in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). TLR2 and TLR4 surface expression were assessed on CD14(+) monocytes, CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in treatment naïve patients with chronic HCV infection with fibrosis, without fibrosis, co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and in healthy controls. Increased expression of TLR2 was found on monocytes in HCV-infected patients with fibrosis (p < 0.01), co-infected with HIV (p = 0.03), and possibly in patients without fibrosis (p = 0.07) when compared to controls. TLR2 positive CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells were upregulated in patients with fibrosis only (p < 0.01). However, expression of TLR2 was not associated with T cell activation. TLR4 expression was similar in patients and healthy controls. In conclusion, TLR2 expression on monocytes and the frequency of T cells expressing TLR2 may contribute to disease progression in chronic HCV infection.

Different immunological phenotypes associated with preserved CD4+ T cell counts in HIV-infected controllers and viremic long term non-progressors.

BACKGROUND: HIV-infected controllers control viral replication and maintain normal CD4+ T cell counts. Long Term Non-Progressors (LTNP) also maintain normal CD4+ T cell counts, but have on-going viral replication. We hypothesized that different immunological mechanisms are responsible for preserved CD4+ T cell counts in controllers and LTNP. METHODS: 25 HIV-infected controllers and 14 LTNP were included in this cross-sectional study. For comparison, 25 progressors and 34 healthy controls were included. Production and destruction of T cells were addressed by determination of T cell receptor excision circles (TREC), recent thymic emigrants, naïve cells, immune activation, senescence and apoptosis. Furthermore, telomere length was determined, and the amount of lymphoid tissue in tonsil biopsies was quantified. RESULTS: Controllers presented with partly preserved thymic output, preserved expression of the IL-7 receptor and IL-7 receptor density, and lower levels of destruction of cells than progressors resembling HIV-negative healthy controls. In contrast, LTNP appeared much like progressors, and different from controllers in immune activation, senescence, and apoptosis. Interestingly, CD8+ RTE, TREC and telomere length were partly preserved. Finally, both controllers and LTNP displayed decreased amounts of lymphoid tissue compared to healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: Controllers presented with an immunological profile different from LTNP. While controllers resembled healthy controls, LTNP were similar to progressors, suggesting different immunological mechanisms to be responsible for preserved CD4+ T cell counts in LTNP and controllers. However, both controllers and LTNP presented with reduced amounts of lymphoid tissue despite preserved CD4+ T cell counts, indicating HIV to cause damage even in non-progressors.

Thirty Years with HIV Infection-Nonprogression Is Still Puzzling: Lessons to Be Learned from Controllers and Long-Term Nonprogressors.

In the early days of the HIV epidemic, it was observed that a minority of the infected patients did not progress to AIDS or death and maintained stable CD4+ cell counts. As the technique for measuring viral load became available it was evident that some of these nonprogressors in addition to preserved CD4+ cell counts had very low or even undetectable viral replication. They were therefore termed controllers, while those with viral replication were termed long-term nonprogressors (LTNPs). Genetics and virology play a role in nonprogression, but does not provide a full explanation. Therefore, host differences in the immunological response have been proposed. Moreover, the immunological response can be divided into an immune homeostasis resistant to HIV and an immune response leading to viral control. Thus, non-progression in LTNP and controllers may be due to different immunological mechanisms. Understanding the lack of disease progression and the different interactions between HIV and the immune system could ideally teach us how to develop a functional cure for HIV infection. Here we review immunological features of controllers and LTNP, highlighting differences and clinical implications.