CD8+CD28−CD127loCD39+ regulatory T-cell expansion: A new possible pathogenic mechanism for HIV infection?

BACKGROUND: HIV-associated immunodeficiency is related to loss of CD4⁺ T cells. This mechanism does not explain certain manifestations of HIV disease, such as immunodeficiency events in patients with greater than 500 CD4⁺ T cells/μL. CD8⁺CD28^-CD127^loCD39⁺ T cells are regulatory T (Treg) lymphocytes that are highly concentrated within the tumor microenvironment and never analyzed in the circulation of HIV-infected patients. OBJECTIVES: We sought …