title: [Immunohistochemical characterization of the intestinal immune system of patients with AIDS].
abstract: Lamina propria mononuclear cells in duodenal and colonic biopsies of AIDS patients and controls were immunohistologically studied for T-cells (CD3), IgA1+, IgA2+, IgM+, IgG2+, IgG4+ and J-chain-positive cells. In AIDS patients, there was a decrease of IgA1+ (p = 0.0009), IgA2+ (p = 0.011), IgM+ (p = 0.018), IgG4+ (p = 0.0002) cells in the duodenum. In the colonic biopsies, IgA2+ (p = 0.0001) and IgG2+ (p = 0.0372) cells were also decreased, whereas the IgM+ cells were increased (p = 0.0023). Relative numbers of J-chain-expressing cells of the small and large intestine were not different from controls (p = 0.373; p = 0.0618). The number of T-cells was reduced in duodenal and colonic biopsies (p = 0.0002; p = 0.0030). The presented results are compatible with the assumption of a functional B-cell defect of the intestinal immune system. The decrease of Ig-producing cells in the intestine contrasts with the increased levels of serum Ig in AIDS patients, indicating that the GALT is a particular compartment of the immune system.
authors.affiliation: Pathologisches Institut, Abteilung Rheumatologie, Universität Freiburg.
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Lennartz
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Herbst
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Peter
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D000921:Antibody-Producing Cells / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology*; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory
vernacular_title: Immunhistologische Charakterisierung des intestinalen Immunsystems bei Patienten mit AIDS.