Study of the dynamics, phenotype and role of regulatory T cells during HIV subtype C early Infecton and during prime-boost vaccination with HIVIS-DNA

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) remain one of the most severe health challenges in the world and in Sub-Saharan Africa in particular, accounting for 69% of the people living with HIV worldwide. One effective strategy to reduce HIV transmission would be the development of an effective vaccine. Achieving that goal requires a profound understanding of the interaction between the virus and elements of the host immune system and the identification of vaccine features which are beneficial or detrimental to obtain an optimal vaccine candidate. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a heterogeneous subgroup of CD4 T cells which regulate the immune response, preventing exacerbated inflammatory reactions. There is no consensus if Tregs are beneficial or harmful during HIV-1 infection, particularly at the early phase of the disease. Furthermore, little is known about the impact of current candidate HIV vaccines on Tregs frequency and function. Although Tregs have the potential to hamper the overall performance of vaccine induced HIV-specific effectors responses. The aim of this project is to study the dynamics and assess the role of different subsets of Tregs during early HIV-1 infection. Furthermore, we aim to study how immunization of HIV-negative individuals with a promising new prime boost HIV vaccine candidate affects the Tregs subsets.

Trefwoorden:B780-tropische-geneeskunde