We longitudinally evaluated HIV-specific T-cell immunity after discontinuation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). After treatment interruption (TI), some individuals could maintain a low plasma viral load (<15,000 copies/mL), whereas others could not (>50,000 copies/mL). Before HAART was initiated, plasma viral load was similar. After TI, the numbers of CD8+ T cells increased more in individuals without viral control, whereas individuals maintaining a low viral load showed a more pronounced increase in HIV-specific CD8+ T-cell numbers. No differences were seen in the number or percentage of cytokine-producing HIV-1-specific CD4+ T cells, or in proliferative capacity of T cells. Four weeks after TI, the magnitude of the total HIV-1-specific CD8+ T-cell response (IFN-γ+ and/or IL-2+ and/or CD107a+) was significantly higher in individuals maintaining viral control. Degranulation contributed more to the overall CD8+ T-cell response than cytokine production. Whether increased T-cell functionality is a cause or consequence of low viral load remains to be elucidated.
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