The expansion of CD8 lymphocytes using T cell receptor variable gene products during HIV infection.
Fresh peripheral blood was obtained from HIV-infected subjects and from age-matched healthy controls. Single-, two- and three-colour flow cytometry was performed using FITC-labelled MoAbs directed against the following TCR V beta subfamilies: V2, V3, V5a, V5b, V5c, V6, V8, V12, V13.3, V17, V19, alone or in combination with PE-labelled CD4, CD8, HLA-DR, CD28, CD38 and with Peridinin-chlorophyll A protein (PerCP)-conjugated CD8. The percentages of each V beta subfamily did not differ in HIV+ patients compared with healthy controls. However, we were able to find in four patients (one CDC group II, one group III and two group IV) an expansion of a TCR V beta subfamily (V3 in two, V5a and V19 in one patient). These cells were mainly CD8+. Three-colour flow cytometry allowed us to define that the expanded V beta+, CD8+ T lymphocytes were characterized by the low/intermediate expression of activation markers (HLA-DR, CD28, CD38). In some HIV+ patients there is an expansion of T cells expressing a TCR V beta subfamily; the nature of this expansion may be related to factors that are still unknown, such as the genetic background of each individual and the antigenic specificity of T cells. These populations may be relevant in the host response to the virus and in disease progression.
De Paoli
P
P
Microbiology-Immunology-Virology Division, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, Aviano, Italy.
Caffau
C
C
D'Andrea
M
M
Ceolin
P
P
Simonelli
C
C
Tirelli
U
U
Santini
G
G
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta