T-cell antigen receptor V beta subsets are not preferentially deleted in AIDS.
OBJECTIVE
Evidence for an HIV-1-associated superantigen (SAg) has been presented. Here we test whether targeted T cells are preferentially depleted in AIDS.


METHODS
The T cell antigen receptor (TCR) V beta repertoire was compared in 44 HIV+ hemophiliac patients and in 27 controls.


METHODS
Eleven TCR V gene-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAb), representing approximately one-third of the V beta repertoire were used to measure T-cell numbers expressing V beta and V alpha genes in both the CD4 and the CD8 subsets by two-color immunofluorescence.


RESULTS
The percentage of T cells expressing these V genes could be accurately quantitated in both the CD4 and the CD8 T-cell populations and at various clinical stages of disease progression. No preferential deletion of any particular V gene subsets was detected.


CONCLUSIONS
CD4 T-cell depletion in AIDS is not V beta-selective.
Posnett
D N
DN
Division of Allergy-Immunology, Cornell University Medical College, New York, New York 10021.
Kabak
S
S
Hodtsev
A S
AS
Goldberg
E A
EA
Asch
A
A
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D000328:Adult; D015488:HIV Antigens; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000235:genetics; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*
D015488:HIV Antigens; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta