INCREASE OF CIRCULATING T-CELLS BEARING THE GAMMA-DELTA T-CELL RECEPTOR IN HIV INFECTION

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1990. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

INCREASE OF CIRCULATING T-CELLS BEARING THE GAMMA-DELTA T-CELL RECEPTOR IN HIV INFECTION

Serono Symp Publ Raven Press; 59:37-45 1989. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/90660594
Carbonari M; Cherchi M; Papetti C; Giannini G; Fiorilli M; Aiuti F; Dept. of Clinical Immunology, Univ. of Rome, La Sapienza, Viale; dell'Universita 37, 00185 Rome, Italy

Abstract: T cells can bear two forms of the T-cell receptor (TCR) for antigen, made respectively by alpha/beta or gamma/delta chains. Alpha/beta T cells comprise the majority of circulating T cells, whereas gamma/delta cells represent a distinct lineage that mediates major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-unrestricted cytotoxicity. Evidence is presented to show that T cells bearing the gamma/delta TCR, as well as activated (MHC class II-positive) CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, are increased in the peripheral blood of HIV-infected individuals. The possibility that these findings may reflect the immunopathogenetic mechanism(s) contributing to HIV-associated immunodeficiency is discussed. Twenty-two HIV-seropositive patients (pts; 16 men, 13 women, aged 18-32 yr, all iv drug users) provided peripheral blood lymphocytes, which were analyzed by a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) and fluorescence-activated flow cytometry. Reduction in circulating CD4+ cells was detected in Stage IV pts, and the absolute number of CD8+ cells was significantly increased. Total circulating T cells (CD3+) were normal in these pts. Two additional T-cell populations were abnormally represented: activated T cells (CD3+ cells bearing human leukocyte group A-DR [class II] antigens) and gamma/delta T cells (enumerated with the MoAb delta-TCS-1). Compared to normal subjects, the numbers of both types of cells in Stage III and Stage IV pts were elevated significantly, but the difference between the Stage III and Stage IV pts was not statistically significant. These results may support a recently proposed immunopathogenesis model for AIDS in which unrestricted T-cell activation leads to T-cell anergy. It is not certain whether activated T cells and/or gamma/delta+ T cells contribute to the immunodeficiency or are mediating a beneficial antiviral response. (22 Refs)

Keywords: Adolescence Adult Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral/*IMMUNOLOGY CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/IMMUNOLOGY Female Human HIV/IMMUNOLOGY/*PATHOGENICITY HIV Infections/*IMMUNOLOGY HIV Seropositivity/IMMUNOLOGY Leukocyte Count Male Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/*IMMUNOLOGY T-Lymphocytes/*IMMUNOLOGY JOURNAL ARTICLE
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