PCR analysis of HIV-1 sequences and differential immunological features in seronegative and seropositive haemophiliacs.
We have compared the immunological features of two matched groups of seronegative and seropositive haemophilia A individuals. Both groups were exposed from 1981 to 1985 to comparable amounts and batches of FVIII concentrates not subjected to virus inactivation procedures, and had therefore a 100% probability of receiving HIV-contaminated material. The presence of proviral HIV-1 sequences was evaluated by PCR in the DNA from peripheral blood lymphocytes and/or monocytes. After hybridization with specific probes, DNA from all seropositive haemophiliacs revealed HIV sequences; no HIV sequences were observed from the DNA of seronegative patients, even after two rounds of amplification, thus suggesting that these patients were not affected by a latent HIV infection. Seronegative/PCR- and seropositive/PCR+ patients showed a normal and reduced number of CD4+ lymphocytes, and a slight and marked increase of CD8+ cells respectively. Activated T cells expressing the HLA-DR antigen were elevated in both groups. Interestingly, a significant reduction of circulating CD56+/CD3- NK lymphocytes was observed only in seropositive haemophiliacs, whereas NK lymphocytes with CD56+/CD3+ phenotype were within normal levels in both groups. In seropositive patients no correlation was found between the number of CD4+ and CD56+/CD3- lymphocytes. The marked reduction of CD56+/CD3- lymphocytes observed in seropositive haemophiliacs in addition to the CD4+ cell depletion may represent a key pathogenetic factor which facilitates the onset and/or the progression of HIV-1 infection in haemophiliacs, and is related to the capacity of HIV to infect NK cells.
Chelucci
C
C
Department of Haematology-Oncology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
Hassan
H J
HJ
Gringeri
A
A
Macioce
G
G
Mariani
G
G
Santagostino
E
E
Testa
U
U
Vulcano
F
F
Mannucci
P M
PM
Peschle
C
C
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D001483:Base Sequence; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D015703:Antigens, CD; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens