Dysbiosis modulates CD8+ tissue-resident memory cells through a mechanism requiring polyamine metabolism during HIV infection
An article in iScience, published November 21, 2025.
Authors: Sangeetha Jayaraman, Shanmuga Mahalingam, Michael M Lederman, Fady Faddoul, Andre Paes da Silva, Robert Asaad, Leah P Shriver, Natarajan Bhaskaran, Elizabeth Schneider, Grace Heine, Tobi Taylor, Samantha Horne, Ashley Yoon, Zihan Zhu, Liangliang Zhang , Adam Burgener, Gina Lewin, Pushpa Pandiyan
This study explored how changes in the gut microbiome, specifically due to an increase in a bacterium called Fusobacterium, affect immune cells in people living with HIV (PLWH). Researchers found that PLWH had higher levels of Fusobacterium and a reduced presence of vital immune cells known as CD8+ tissue-resident memory (TRM) cells, which are crucial for local immune defense. The study highlighted a key discovery: polyamines, which are molecules produced by both the bacterium and the body, suppress the function of these immune cells by reducing their ability to produce an important protein called IFN-γ.
For HIV researchers and practitioners, these findings underscore the impact of gut health and microbial balance on the immune system in HIV-infected individuals. The study suggests that targeting polyamine production or its effects could help restore the function of CD8+ TRM cells, potentially improving the immune response and decreasing susceptibility to infections and certain cancers. This could lead to new strategies for managing chronic inflammation and dysbiosis in PLWH, offering additional avenues to enhance the effectiveness of existing HIV treatments.