Defective T suppressor-inducer cell function in human immune deficiency virus-seropositive hemophilia patients.
In human immune deficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive hemophilia patients, a low number of CD4 + lymphocytes is found, as well as a low CD4+/CD8+ ratio. In previous studies, it has been shown that antigen-specific T-helper cell (CD4+) function was present and no excessive antigen-specific T-suppressor cell (CD8+) function could be demonstrated. In this report, we studied another activity of CD4+ cells, namely the capacity to induce T-suppressor cell activity. The results clearly show a selective dysfunction of CD4+ suppressor-inducer (Tsi) cell function. Since these HIV-seropositive hemophilia patients showed the presence of activated B cells in the peripheral circulation refractory to antigen-specific T-helper cell signals and secreting specific antibodies spontaneously, we raised the hypothesis that the activated B cells in the patients activate the Tsi cells in vivo. This constant activation leads to a functional exhaustion of the Tsi cell pool.
D000917:Antibody Formation; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000276:immunology*; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*
D010047:Ovalbumin