Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Increases CD4+ T Cell Counts of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patients Receiving Stable, Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy: Results from a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

P= .005 P= .03 P= .004 numbers of CD3 2 CD16 + CD56 + NK cells ( ). The increases in CD4 + and CD8 + cell P= .001 counts resulted from increases in CD45RO + memory T cells and cells expressing the CD38 activation marker. Lymphocyte proliferative responses to phytohemagglutinin and Candida antigen decreased, whereas NK cell activity and plasma HIV RNA did not change during G- CSF treatment. After 24 weeks, all immune parameters had returned to baseline values. This study suggests that G-CSF treatment of HIV-infected patients receiving stable HAART in- creases the concentration of CD4 + , CD8 + , and NK cells without inducing changes in the virus load.