Abstract

Mechanisms regulating HIV persistence are complex and not well understood. Increased IL-10 levels were positively associated with HIV reservoir in blood and lymph nodes (LN) of treated HIV aviremic individuals. In LNs, B cells, regulatory T cells, follicular T helper cells (Tfh), monocytes and macrophages contributed to the frequencies of IL10+ cells. Cells with HIV DNA in LNs were in close proximity to IL-10+ cells and/or had the active form of STAT3, the transcription downstream of IL-10. Gene signatures and proteins associated to cell survival, Co-inhibitory receptors expression, maintenance of memory T cells, immune metabolism and Tfh frequencies were all modulated by IL-10 and associated with HIV reservoir persistence. In vitro, STAT3 knockout or neutralization of IL-10, reverted all the aforementioned pathways and resulted in 10-fold decay in HIV reservoir. Collectively, these results provide strong evidence for a pivotal role of IL-10 in HIV persistence, and a potential therapeutic strategy for HIV cure.