The ability of CD4+ cells from HIV+ individuals to express CD40 ligand after in vitro stimulation is not impaired.
Interaction between the B cell glycoprotein CD40 and its ligand (CD40L), expressed by activated T cells, is of crucial importance in the generation of specific antibody response, which is impaired in HIV+ individuals. We studied the expression of CD40L by lymphocytes activated with PMA plus ionomycin in 17 HIV+ individuals and 12 healthy donors. In HIV+ individuals, the percentage of cells expressing CD40L was lower than that in the controls (22.6 +/- 14.7 vs 40.1 +/- 12.0; P < 0.002) and clearly correlated with that of CD4+ peripheral blood lymphocytes (r = 0.83; P < 0.001); therefore, the reduced CD40L expression might be explained by the decrease of the CD4+ cells. In fact, the expression of CD40L by purified CD4+ cells was comparable in individuals with and without HIV infection. These data indicate that the ability of CD4+ cells from HIV individuals to express CD40L is not impaired, at least after optimal stimulation in vitro.
Brugnoni
D
D
Servizio di Immunologia Clinica, Spedali Civili ed Universitá, Brescia, Italy.
Prati
E
E
Airò
P
P
Castelli
F
F
Cattaneo
R
R
D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D023201:CD40 Ligand; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D015759:Ionomycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008024:Ligands; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000502:physiology; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology
D015703:Antigens, CD; D008024:Ligands; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D023201:CD40 Ligand; D015759:Ionomycin; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate