Evidence for a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte alveolitis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients.
A T8 lymphocyte alveolitis occurs in HIV-positive patients, even in the absence of any lung infections or tumors. Using the monoclonal antibody (MAb) D44, the CD8+ T cells can be further subdivided into two functional subsets of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL; CD8+, D44+) and suppressor T cells (CD8+, D44-). A dual fluorescence analysis of alveolar and peripheral lymphocytes has been used in HIV-positive patients without lung infections or tumors to reveal a dramatic increase in alveolar T8 lymphocytes (83%), compared to peripheral values (52%), which was mainly composed (89%) of CD8+ D44+ CTLs. Functional studies confirmed the cytolytic activity of these phenotypically defined alveolar CTLs on autologous alveolar macrophages used as target cells, excluding a natural killer-like activity. An immuno-enzyme analysis concomitantly revealed the co-expression of the p18 HIV antigen and the CD4 molecule on the autologous alveolar macrophages. These data suggest that CTL alveolitis occurs during HIV infection and is directed against HIV-infected alveolar macrophages which are presumably the targets of the locally recruited lung CTLs.
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal