title: Class II (DR) antigen expression on CD8+ lymphocyte subsets in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
abstract: In a selected group of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients we confirm the expansion of a CD8+ T-lymphocyte subset, i.e., the CD8+/Leu7+ cells, which account for 30% of the lymphocytes, compared to 3% in the control donors. In addition, a CD8+ T-lymphocyte subset that coexpresses class II (DR) antigens, i.e., CD8+/DR+ cells, is also increased from 1.5% in controls to 27% in the HIV-infected patients. Using three-color immunofluorescence and flow cytometry we can demonstrate that the CD8+/Leu7+ and the CD8+/class II+ cells are not distinct but overlapping subsets. In the HIV-infected patients 42% of the CD8+/Leu7+ cells were strongly positive for class II and these CD8+/Leu7+/class II+ cells accounted for 13% of all lymphocytes. These findings indicate that the expanded CD8+/Leu7+ cells are activated and hence might be actively involved in immune defense in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
authors.affiliation: Institute for Immunology, University of Munich, F.R.G.
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Ziegler-Heitbrock
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stachel
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schlunk
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gürtler
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schramm
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fröschl
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Bogner
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Riethmüller
mesh_terms: D000386:AIDS-Related Complex / Q000276:immunology; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D000328:Adult; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000276:immunology; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens