title: Characterization of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome at the cellular and molecular level.
abstract: The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a new disease characterized by severe dysfunction of both the T cell and B cell systems, occurring in previously healthy individuals. Affected individuals may have recurrent and chronic opportunistic infections and/or Kaposi's sarcoma or other malignancy. Analysis of the cellular and subcellular components of immunity demonstrates a profound depression in the number and function of helper/inducer T cells bearing the OKT4 (Leu 3) differentiation antigen and a concomitant defect in the synthesis of the immuno-enhancing soluble growth factor, interleukin 2 (IL-2). Hypotheses to explain the etiology of the immunological dysfunction and implications for future therapy of AIDS are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D017977:Deltaretrovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2