Antibodies against CD4+ lymphocytes in plasma of HIV-infected patients are related to CD4 cell depletion in vivo.
The role of autoimmune phenomena in the pathogenesis of AIDS is not well understood. Antibodies against CD4+ lymphocytes are frequently detectable in HIV-infected patients. However, the relevance of these antibodies is unknown. In this study anti-CD4 cell antibodies in plasma of HIV-infected patients were compared to patients' CD4 cell count. Lymphocytes of a healthy donor were incubated with plasma of patients and controls. Antibodies against CD4+ lymphocytes were detected using anti-human Ig antibodies and monoclonal anti-CD4 antibodies simultaneously. The degree of staining was visualized by flow cytometry. The experiments revealed that 60% of HIV-infected patients harbored anti-CD4 cell antibodies in their plasma. Anti-CD4 cell antibodies were not detectable in plasma of healthy controls. Patients with anti-CD4 cell antibodies in their plasma presented with significantly lower numbers of circulating CD4+ lymphocytes (P = 0.025). The degree of antibody reactivity was negatively correlated to patients' CD4 cell counts (P = 0.02). In conclusion there is evidence for an association between plasma anti-CD4 cell antibodies and CD4 cell depletion. Whether this association represents an epiphenomenon or a pathogenetic relevant pathway needs to be investigated in further studies.
Müller
C
C
Department of Dermatology, University of Bonn, Germany.
Kukel
S
S
Bauer
R
R
D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000097:blood*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans
D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D001323:Autoantibodies