title: T cells expressing high levels of non-major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted cytotoxicity are present in early and late clinical phases of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infection.
abstract: Cytotoxic cells appear to play an important role in host defense against viral infection. In HIV-1 infection there is an expansion of the Leu7-positive lymphocyte population which is associated with cytotoxic activity. Since a form of non-MHC-restricted T-cell cytotoxicity [lectin-dependent cell cytotoxicity (LDCC)] has been reported to be mediated by CD3+Leu7+ cells, we evaluated LDCC and Leu7-positive lymphocyte populations in HIV-1-infected subjects and healthy controls. Both LDCC and percentages of Leu7+CD3+ and Leu7+CD2+ cells were increased in HIV-1-infected individuals as compared to controls. However, the CD3+Leu7+ lymphocyte population was increased to a greater degree than the CD8+Leu7+ population and a minor Leu7+ cell population (Leu7+CD4+) was expanded in the early stages of infection. Lectin-dependent cell cytotoxicity was positively correlated with the percentages of Leu7+CD3+ cells. Thus T-cells with the capacity to mediate high levels of non-MHC-restricted cytotoxicity are present in increased proportions in HIV-1-infected individuals and persist in advanced disease. Further studies are required to see if these cells participate in HIV-specific cytotoxicity or reflect an aberrant, ineffective, or immunologically detrimental response to the virus.
authors.affiliation: Tulane/Louisiana State University AIDS Clinical Trial Group, New Orleans.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Daul
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: de Shazo
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Andes
authors.forename: N H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Hyslop
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D037102:Lectins