Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is associated with an in vivo increase in B lymphocyte activation and immaturity.
The expression of phenotypic markers on B lymphocytes in patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive individuals, and in healthy seronegative donors was examined by two-color flow cytometry. Patients with AIDS and HIV-seropositive individuals showed an elevated percentage of B cells bearing an activation marker, the transferrin receptor, when compared with donors not infected with HIV. A decrease in the percentage of resting (Leu-8 positive) B cells was also seen in AIDS patients and HIV-seropositive individuals. An increased percentage of circulating, immature (CALLA-positive, CD10) B cells was seen in AIDS patients. These phenotypic changes were accompanied by an increased level of spontaneous IgG and IgM secretion, and increased cell size within the total B cell population and in some B cell subpopulations, in patients with AIDS and in HIV-seropositive people. These results demonstrate that phenotypic changes indicative of in vivo B cell activation and immaturity accompany the polyclonal production of Ig seen in HIV-infected individuals.
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D015260:Neprilysin; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D015260:Neprilysin