title: Cytotoxic capabilities of lymphocytes from patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
abstract: Lymphocytes from 16 AIDS patients were tested in the cell-mediated lympholysis assay (CML). The ability to produce alloreactive cytotoxic lymphocytes in vitro was found to be substantially reduced when compared with concomitantly investigated normal controls. Addition of interleukin 2 (IL-2) to the inducer cultures increased the cytotoxic activity, but not to normal levels. The CML response did not correlate with the relative or absolute number of Leu 3+ cells or the proliferation in effector suspensions. The ability to produce cytotoxic cells in CML, and the degree of potentiation by IL-2, was positively correlated with the absolute number of Leu 2+ cells in peripheral blood of the patients, which was below normal in 56% of the patients. It is suggested that the low CML in AIDS patients is primarily caused by defective T-cell help. In addition patients with decreased absolute numbers of Leu 2+ cells may have a reduced number of CTL precursors. The natural killer (NK) activity of AIDS lymphocytes was reduced, but could be improved by incubation with IL-2 in vitro. The mononuclear cells from the patients showed a decreased ability to respond and to stimulate in the mixed lymphocyte culture. In one of the AIDS patients, the CML was found to induce autoreactivity in vitro.
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000276:immunology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007376:Interleukin-2