Chemokine receptor CCR5 correlates with functional CD8 ⁺ T cells in SIV-infected macaques and the potential effects of maraviroc on T-cell activation

Abstract

C-C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) plays an essential role in HIV pathogenesis as the major coreceptor on CD4 ⁺ T cells used by HIV, yet the function of CCR5 on CD8 T cells is not well understood. Furthermore, the immunologic effects of the CCR5 inhibitor maraviroc (MVC), despite approval for clinical use, have not yet been well evaluated for their potential effects on cytotoxic T-cell responses. In this study, we characterized the development and function of CCR5 ⁺CD8 ⁺ T cells in rhesus macaques with or without Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection. We also investigated the effects of the CCR5 antagonist MVC on functional CCR5 ⁺CD8 ⁺ T-cell responses in vitro. The data show that CCR5 ⁺CD8 ⁺ T cells have an effector memory phenotype and increase with age in systemic and mucosal lymphoid tissues as a heterogeneous population of polyfunctional CD8 T cells. In addition, CCR5 is highly expressed on SIV gag-specific (CM9 ⁺) CD8 ⁺ T cells in SIV-infected macaques, yet CCR5 ⁺CD8 ⁺ T cells are significantly reduced in mucosal lymphoid tissues with disease progression. Furthermore, in vitro MVC treatment reduced activation and cytokine secretion of CD8 ⁺ T cells via a CCR5-independent pathway. These findings suggest that surface CCR5 protein plays an important role in differentiation and activation of CD8 ⁺ T cells. Although MVC may be helpful in reducing chronic inflammation and activation, it may also inhibit virus-specific CD8 ⁺ T-cell responses. Thus optimal use of CCR5 antagonists either alone or in combination with other drugs should be defined by further investigation.—Wang, X., Russell-Lodrigue, K. E., Ratterree, M. S., Veazey, R. S., Xu, H. Chemokine receptor CCR5 correlates with functional CD8 ⁺ T cells in SIV-infected macaques and the potential effects of maraviroc on T-cell activation.