Surface immunoglobulin-positive T lymphocytes in HIV-1 infection: relationship to CD4+ lymphocyte depletion.
T lymphocytes bound to autologous immunoglobulin (surface Ig + T cells) and serum antibodies that bind to allogeneic lymphocytes have been detected in HIV-1-infected individuals, but their significance in the immunopathogenesis of HIV-1 infection is uncertain. We tested peripheral blood from HIV-1-infected individuals to determine if surface Ig+ T cells are specific for HIV-1 infection and are associated with CD4+ lymphocyte depletion. The majority of HIV-1-infected individuals contained substantial numbers of circulating surface Ig+ T cells. The presence of such cells was restricted to seropositive individuals and not related to risk factors associated with the acquisition of HIV-1 infection. Autologous immunoglobulin was detected on both CD4+ and CD8+ cells in all patients tested. Most individuals with surface Ig+ T lymphocytes also had serum anti-T-lymphocyte antibodies. The presence of surface Ig+ T lymphocytes correlated significantly with lower absolute CD4+ lymphocyte counts only in asymptomatic, HIV-1-infected individuals.
Ardman
B
B
Department of Medicine, New England Medical Center Hospitals, Boston, Massachusetts 02111.
Mayer
K
K
Bristol
J
J
Ryan
M
M
Settles
M
M
Levy
E
E
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D017252:CD3 Complex; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000032:analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D001323:Autoantibodies; D017252:CD3 Complex; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell