Interferon-gamma marks activated T lymphocytes in AIDS patients.
Lymphocytes expressing interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on their surface were evaluated in 61 patients, all IV drug abusers, infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), and in 85 healthy subjects (61 of whom were blood donors and 24 HIV-1 seronegative IV drug abusers). Data obtained demonstrated that IFN-gamma-expressing T lymphocytes, mostly CD8+ cells, were present in HIV-1-infected patients, and that their percentage, always higher in HIV-1-infected patients than in healthy subjects (p less than or equal to 0.001), increased with progressive stages of HIV-1 infection. At the same time other markers of T-cell activation, namely interleukin-2 receptor (rIL-2), transferrin receptor, and HLA-DR were also found to be positive in some of the HIV-1-infected subjects. The presence in the HIV-1-infected patients of activated CD8+ T cells, which are resistant to HIV-1 infection, may suggest that these cells are able to respond to continuous and progressive viral expression (HIV or/and other viruses) and may be a component of the specific response to HIV-1.
Caruso
A
A
Institute of Microbiology, University of Brescia, Italy.
Gonzales
R
R
Stellini
R
R
Scalzini
A
A
Peroni
L
L
Turano
A
A
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015497:HIV-1; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin / Q000097:blood; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin; D007371:Interferon-gamma