Mechanisms of HIV-associated immunosuppression.
HIV antigens were identified in PBL obtained from HIV-positive patients, using IF and IEM. Studies of the phenotype of HIV-containing lymphocytes showed that OKT4+ cells were the principal target of the virus. Approximately 5% of infected cells were multinucleated. Almost all infected and about 30% of uninfected PBL displayed Ab-C3 complexes on the cell surfaces. Sera from HIV-positive patients contained Ab reacting with cell membranes and intracellular structures of PBL from normal subjects, as demonstrated by IEM. The presence of Ig-C3 complexes on a high percentage of HIV-positive- or negative-PBL suggests that the Ab-C-mediated lympholysis may represent a major mechanism of lymphatic tissue destruction in HIV-infected patients.
D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology*; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000382:microbiology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron
D001323:Autoantibodies; D015488:HIV Antigens