Defective T-cell colony formation and IL-2 receptor expression at all stages of HIV infection.
The T-cell colony assay is a highly sensitive measure of immunological dysfunction. The present study evaluated this in vitro response in asymptomatic HIV-infected homosexuals, those with chronic adenopathy as their only clinical manifestation and patients with either ARC or AIDS. The mean colony count in antibody-positive asymptomatic individuals was significantly reduced when compared to either heterosexual controls or antibody-negative homosexuals. Furthermore, there were no differences in the responses of these antibody-positive individuals and those with chronic lymphadenopathy as their only clinical manifestation. By contrast, patients with AIDS or ARC showed a profound defect; this suggests that the colony assay can detect a functional gradient across the spectrum of HIV infections. Colony growth was correlated with the absolute number of T-helper cells and the ability of PHA-stimulated lymphocytes to express IL-2 receptors; no correlation was found with the number of suppressor/cytotoxic cells or in vitro production of IL-2. Recent HIV seroconverters had normal colony counts but impaired ability to express IL-2 receptors. These data suggest a sequential loss of T-cell function as a result of HIV infection; the earliest manifestations are impaired expression of IL-2 receptors and reduced proliferative responses, as measured in the colony assay.
Winkelstein
A
A
Department of Medicine, Montefiore Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
Kingsley
L A
LA
Klein
R S
RS
Lyter
D W
DW
Evans
T L
TL
Rinaldo
C R
CR
Weaver
L D
LD
Machen
L L
LL
Schadle
R C
RC
D000386:AIDS-Related Complex / Q000276:immunology; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
D007376:Interleukin-2; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2