title: Effect of mitogens on the cell cycle progression and the quantification of T-lymphocyte surface markers in acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
abstract: The cell cycle progression and viability of stimulated and intact lymphocytes from 20 subjects with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) was determined by flow cytometry. As compared to controls, 62% less AIDS lymphocytes, cultured for 72 hr in the presence of lectins (Con-A, PHA, PWM), had entered the proliferative phases of the cell cycle, while the respective value for periodic-acid (H5IO6)-stimulated cells was 34%. The helper-suppressor ratios and natural kill cell percentages of the unstimulated and PHA-activated AIDS lymphocytes increased approximately 3-fold after 72 hr in culture. The natural killer (NK) cell fraction of the PHA-stimulated and unstimulated AIDS cultures comprised approximately 20% as compared to 10% in controls. However, no changes in the percentages of T-lymphocytes were detected in the AIDS cell cultures. Throughout the culture period, viability of the unstimulated AIDS lymphocytes exceeded 90%, whereas in stimulated cultures it fluctuated within the 65-90% range. It is concluded that the liability of AIDS lymphocytes to mitogens is probably a direct consequence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000954:Antigens, Surface; D007376:Interleukin-2; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins