Longitudinal study of leukocyte functions in homosexual men seroconverted for HIV: rapid and persistent loss of B cell function after HIV infection.
The early effects of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were investigated in homosexual men who had seroconverted for anti-HIV antibodies. Leukocyte functional activities were determined in longitudinally collected peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples. During the first 10 months following seroconversion, anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody-induced T cell proliferation, monocyte accessory function and T helper activity on B cell differentiation in a pokeweed mitogen-driven system were not affected. In contrast, from the moment of seroconversion on, B cells of seroconverted men failed to produce immunoglobulin in the pokeweed mitogen-driven system. This defect was not restored by addition of normal CD4+ T cells. Immunoglobulin synthesis induced by Staphylococcus aureus and interleukin 2 decreased gradually, until it was completely lost 10 months after seroconversion. In addition, proliferation in response to anti-IgM or Staphylococcus aureus by B cells from HIV seroconverted men was decreased. The lack of inducible in vitro B cell activity was not accompanied by elevated spontaneous Ig synthesis by B cells of the seroconverted men. In the second group of men studied during the 2nd year following seroconversion, T helper activity on normal B cell differentiation significantly decreased, whereas anti-CD3-induced T cell proliferation and monocyte accessory function were not significantly affected. Our results demonstrate that in almost all HIV-infected individuals B cell functional defects are the first leukocyte abnormalities observed preceding defects in T helper activity.
Terpstra
F G
FG
Central Laboratory of the Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Amsterdam.
Al
B J
BJ
Roos
M T
MT
De Wolf
F
F
Goudsmit
J
J
Schellekens
P T
PT
Miedema
F
F
D000917:Antibody Formation; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000502:physiology; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000276:immunology*; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D016827:CD8 Antigens