Metabolically active CD4+ T cells expressing Glut1 and OX40 preferentially harbor HIV during in vitro infection

High Glut1 surface expression is associated with increased glycolytic activity in activated CD4+ T cells. PI3K activation measured by p-Akt and OX40 is elevated in CD4+Glut1+ T cells from HIV+ subjects. TCR engagement of CD4+Glut1+ T cells from HIV+ subjects demonstrate hyper-responsive PI3K-mTOR signalling. High basal Glut1 and OX40 on CD4+ T cells from combination antiretroviral therapy (cART)-treated HIV+ patients represent a sufficiently metabolically active state permissive for HIV infection in vitro without external stimuli. The majority of CD4+OX40+ T cells express Glut1, thus OX40 rather than Glut1 itself may facilitate HIV infection. Furthermore, infection of CD4+ T cells is limited by p110γ PI3K inhibition. Modulating glucose metabolism may limit cellular activation and prevent residual HIV replication in ‘virologically suppressed’ cART-treated HIV+ persons. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.