Autoreactive cytotoxicity in HIV-infected individuals.
A possible role for autoimmunity in the pathogenesis of HIV infection has been suggested, based upon the certain degree of homology shared by HIV gp41 and MHC class II molecules. A number of humoral markers of autoimmunity have since been found in seropositive subjects. We have evaluated the cellular autoreactive response in HIV-infected individuals. Our study demonstrates the existence of a cytolytic activity, present in seropositive but not in seronegative subjects. This activity is mediated by CD3+ T cells, which only occasionally express the CD8 or the CD4 surface markers. Effector cells do not appear to exert their activity in a MHC-restricted fashion, since allogeneic target cells could also be killed, recovered from allogeneic seropositive as well as from seronegative subjects. Several types of target cells were lysed: T cell blasts and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transformed B cells, suggesting that the target antigen is common to at least these two cell types. The fact that cells from seronegative individuals were lysed argues against the recognition of an HIV-specific antigen. The nature of the target determinants and the identity of the effector cells are discussed.
Israël-Biet
D
D
Laënnec HIV Study Group, Hôpital Laennec, Paris, France.
Venet
A
A
Beldjord
K
K
Andrieu
J M
JM
Even
P
P
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000032:analysis; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D015551:Autoimmunity; D017252:CD3 Complex; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008231:Lymphopenia / Q000276:immunology; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000032:analysis; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000032:analysis; D017452:Receptors, IgG; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D017252:CD3 Complex; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D017452:Receptors, IgG