CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes of patients with AIDS synthesize increased amounts of interferon-gamma.
Individual cells capable of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) synthesis are easily detected by immunofluorescence and flow cytometric analysis using an anti-IFN-gamma monoclonal antibody as specific reagent. By IFN-gamma flow cytometry assay, we demonstrated that HIV-seropositive patients, starting at the early stage of viral infection, generally have an increased percentage of lymphocytes potentially able to produce IFN-gamma, compared with healthy blood donors. IFN-gamma expression in patient lymphocytes was observed to increase with the progressive stages of HIV infection, with the highest figures occurring in stage C patients. Such increased IFN-gamma expression involved both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets. Most interestingly, we found patients at the same stage of HIV infection who had similar numbers of total and CD4+ lymphocytes but highly different percentages of lymphocytes potentially capable of producing IFN-gamma.
Caruso
A
A
Institute of Microbiology, University of Brescia, Italy.
Canaris
A D
AD
Licenziati
S
S
Cantalamessa
A
A
Folghera
S
S
Lonati
M A
MA
de Panfilis
G
G
Garotta
G
G
Turano
A
A
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015759:Ionomycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D007476:Ionophores / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology
D007476:Ionophores; D015759:Ionomycin; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate