HIV-specific lymphoproliferative responses in asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals.
In vitro lymphoproliferative responses to HIV-1 recombinant antigens (gp160, p24, and Rev protein) were studied in 83 patients with asymptomatic HIV-1 infection (CDC groups II and III) and circulating CD4 lymphocyte numbers > 400/mm3. Significant response to at least one of the three antigens was detected in 52.4% of the subjects, but the responses were weak, and concordance of the response to the three antigens was rare, the frequency of individuals responding to each antigen not exceeding 22.4%. Increasing frequencies of response were observed when recall antigens (tetanus toxoid and Candida albicans glycomannoprotein) (65.5%) and anti-CD3 MoAb (76.6%) were used as stimuli. Although a significant association between lymphocyte response to p24, but not gp160, and steadiness of CD4 lymphocyte numbers before the assay was observed, no predictive value for lack of CD4 cell decrease was confirmed for either antigen, and fluctuation of the responses to HIV antigens was seen during subsequent follow up. The panel of T cell assays used could be regarded as appropriate for monitoring both HIV-specific responses and T lymphocyte function during immunotherapy with soluble HIV antigens.
Pontesilli
O
O
Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy.
Carlesimo
M
M
Varani
A R
AR
Ferrara
R
R
Guerra
E C
EC
Bernardi
M L
ML
Ricci
G
G
Mazzone
A M
AM
D'Offizi
G
G
Aiuti
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D015686:Gene Products, env / Q000378:metabolism; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D019302:HIV Envelope Protein gp160; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008934:Mitogens; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000378:metabolism; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000276:immunology
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D015686:Gene Products, env; D015488:HIV Antigens; D019302:HIV Envelope Protein gp160; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D008934:Mitogens; D011498:Protein Precursors; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid; C025363:mannoproteins