IL-7 treatment supports CD8+ MAIT cell restoration in HIV-1 infected patients on ART.

Chronic HIV-1 infection is associated with lower frequencies and functional impairment ofmucosa-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells. We evaluated IL-7 treatment to restore MAIT cells in peripheral blood of chronically HIV-1-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy. IL-7 led to increased relative and absolute levels of MAIT cells, and this expansion occurred primarily in the CD8(+) subset. These results suggest that IL-7 may represent a therapeutic intervention for the restoration of MAIT cells in chronic HIV-1 infection.