title: Phenotypic and functional correlations in circulating lymphocytes of prodromal homosexuals and patients with AIDS.
abstract: Findings of selected phenotypic and functional parameters demonstrated significant aberrations in both prodromal homosexual males and patients with AIDS. An impaired blastogenic response to T-cell dependent B-cell mitogen was associated with a significant decrease in percentage of helper T cells but appeared unrelated to the percentage of suppressor T cells. The functional subsets of the latter were further defined by a panel of monoclonal antibodies (Leu8, Leu15, and HLA-DR) applying dual color flow cytometric techniques. In both homosexuals at risk and in AIDS patients, activated suppressor cells with the phenotype Leu2+Leu15+ and Leu2+HLA-DR+ were elevated while the reciprocal cytotoxic Ts cells (Leu2+Leu15- and Leu2+HLA-DR-) were depressed. Both subsets of suppressor precursor cells and effector cells (Leu2+Leu8+ and Leu2+Leu8-) were elevated particularly in high risk homosexual males. These results suggest a defective feedback loop that regulate both helper and suppressor T cells as well as B-lymphocyte functions and may explain the clinical manifestation of AIDS.
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Tsang
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Warner
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Bekesi
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D005246:Feedback; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal