T-CELL IMMUNITY IN AIDS

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1988. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

T-CELL IMMUNITY IN AIDS

AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, and other Manifestations of HIV Infection. Wormser GP et al, eds. Park Ridge, NJ, Noyes Publications, p. 331-46, 1987.. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/88647003
Cunningham-Rundles S; Bedford R; Metroka CE; Div. of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, New York Hosp.-Cornell; Medical Center, New York, NY

Abstract: When the present pandemic of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) was first described in 1981, leukopenia and lymphopenia were reported as predominant laboratory findings in patients with opportunistic infections. During the past 7 yr of study on T-cell immunity in AIDS, emphasis has shifted from concepts of lymphocyte depletion associated with lack of immune response toward analyses of intrinsic alteration in cellular function both at the subpopulation level and at the level of cell-cell interaction. Pathologic changes of lymphoid organs in AIDS, lymphocyte subset imbalance, the helper/inducer T lymphocyte, and the suppressor/cytotoxic T cell are discussed. The T-lymphocyte subset ratio has continued to provide a useful indication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease. In some settings, eg, blood transfusion-associated HIV infection, inversion of the T4+/T8+ ratio may precede reduction of the absolute T4+ cell number by some months. Imbalance of lymphocyte subsets has usually been associated with reduced immune function in vitro. Increase of T8+ lymphocytes accompanies loss of T4+ cells. This relative increase accounts for subset imbalance in cases where the percentage of T4+ cells is still within normal limits and is a striking feature of the syndrome. Identification of the functions mediated by the T8+ population and their role in disease evolution is an important research topic. These studies ultimately may clarify the basis of the B cell deregulation in AIDS. The role of the thymus and alteration in thymic hormone production in HIV infection is an important issue, because thymic epithelium and architecture, as well as thymic lymphocytes, are affected in the disease process. Thymic factor replacement has not been carried out successfully, but preliminary studies indicate that this ultimately may be possible. (44 Refs)

Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*IMMUNOLOGY Human HIV/*IMMUNOLOGY Immunity, Cellular Leukocyte Count Sarcoma, Kaposi's/IMMUNOLOGY Skin Neoplasms/IMMUNOLOGY T-Lymphocytes/*IMMUNOLOGY T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/IMMUNOLOGY T-Lymphocytes, Suppressor-Effector/IMMUNOLOGY MONOGRAPH REVIEW REVIEW, TUTORIAL

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