Reversible reprogramming of memory Tfh cell function during chronic HIV infection

The purpose of this study was to determine differences in gene expression profiles between proliferating memory Tfh cells from elite controller (EC) and chronic aviremic HIV-infected treated (CA) individuals. We have observed significant changes in the gene expression profile between memory Tfh cells from these two patient groups and the data suggests that memory Tfh cells from CA subjects have increased IL-2 mediated signaling and are polarized towards a Th1 phenotype. CFSE labeled and sorted circulating memory Tfh cells were placed in coculture with sorted memory B cells at equal numbers in the presence of SEB. After 5 days, both CFSElo and CFSEhi memory Tfh cells were sorted for gene array analysis. Cells were collected and lysed for RNA extraction. Reverse transcription reactions were performed to obtain cDNAs which were hybridized to the Illumina Human HT-12 version 4 Expression BeadChip according to the manufacturer’s instruction, and quantified using an Illumina iScan System. The data were collected with Illumina GenomeStudio software. Please note that sample titles represent; LH (leuka healthy), ST (successfully treated HIV infected individual), LTNP (long-term non-progressor) and correspond to the following names used in the assocated manuscript; LH --> HC (healthy control), ST --> CA (chronic aviermic treated individual), LTNP --> EC (elite controller)