MODELING MONOCYTE-DERIVED DENDRITIC CELLS AS A THERAPEUTIC VACCINE AGAINST HIV

Abstract

Successful immunologic control of HIV infection can be achieved in long-term non-progressors or HIV-1 controllers. Dendritic cells (DCs) are required for specific antigen presentation to naïve T lymphocytes and for antiviral, type I interferon secretion. To understand this mechanism, we develop a mathematical model that describes the role of direct presentation (replicating virus-infected DCs or other [Formula: see text] T cells directly) and cross presentation (DCs obtain antigen processed in other infected cells such as [Formula: see text] T lymphocytes) during HIV-1 infection. We find equilibria and determine stability in the case of no vaccination, and then, when vaccination is taken, we determine analytical thresholds for the strength and frequency of the vaccine to ensure the disease-free equilibrium remains stable. Our theoretical results suggest that the restoration of DC numbers may be predictive of immune restoration and may be a goal for immunotherapy to enhance viral control in a larger proportion of patients.