Grant: Operating Grant

AIDS remain one of the world's most serious health challenges. Globally, 35 million people are living with HIV including 70,000 in Canada. HIV infection is characterized by a progressive loss of a subgroup of white blood cells named CD4 T-cells and by chronic inflammation. Anti-retroviral therapy enhances the health of HIV-infected people as the immune defense is improved globally but paradoxically not for cells controlling HIV infection. Another phenomenon observed in chronic HIV infection is early aging resulting from the chronic state of inflammation. Regulatory T-cells (Tregs), which are a subgroup of immune cells, play a key role in controlling inflammation in many viral infections. Tregs are increased during HIV infection and play a suppressive role via inhibition of anti-HIV immune responses. However, the mechanisms by which Treg perturbations occur are unclear. Furthermore, the role of Tregs in the context of HIV infection remains controversial. The goal of this project is to reach a comprehensive understanding of (1) characterization and suppressive function of Tregs in HIV infected people; (2) the mechanisms by which HIV infection induces an increase in Tregs proportion; and (3) the involvement of Tregs in early aging and cardiovascular diseases associated with HIV infection. Therefore, the proposed research project will advance our understanding of the contribution of Tregs in HIV infection and will help to design novel therapeutic strategies to improve the health of HIV-infected individuals in Canada and worldwide.