Intraepithelial gamma/delta T cells in duodenal mucosa are related to the immune state and survival time in AIDS.
The proportion of T-cell receptor gamma/delta+ cells and the CD4/CD8 ratio relative to all CD3+ intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) were determined by immunofluorescence in duodenal mucosa of late-stage (mostly CDC IVC1/D) subjects (n = 21) infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). The gamma/delta fraction (median, 14.2%; range, 1.7 to 59.8%) was increased (P < 0.03) compared with that in HIV- controls (n = 11; median 2.8%; range, 0.3 to 38%). Also, the number of gamma/delta+ IEL per mucosal unit was increased (P < 0.05) in the HIV+ subjects (median, 11.1/U) compared with the controls (3.2/U). Approximately 100% of the gamma/delta+ IEL were CD8-, and most expressed the Vdelta1vJdelta1-encoded epitope (median, 90.9%). The total number of CD3+ IEL tended to be lower than in the controls (67.4 versus 72.9/U). Both the epithelium and the lamina propria contained mainly CD8+ T cells, the median ratios of CD4+ T cells being 1 and 7.6%, respectively. This result accorded with the reduced CD4 cell number in blood (median, 18 X 10(6)/liter). The HIV+ subjects had increased serum levels of neopterin and beta2-microglobulin (both P < 0.0001), probably reflecting immunostimulation. Serum neopterin and beta2-microglobulin were inversely related to duodenal gamma/delta IEL, particularly in the premortal group (r = -0.97 and r = -0.58, respectively). The increased gamma/delta IEL might reflect enhanced intestinal protection in late-phase HIV infection. Short survival expectancy (<7 months) was associated not only with high levels of neopterin and beta2-microglobulin but also with a reduced number of duodenal gamma/delta+ cells (P < 0.03).
Nilssen
D E
DE
Laboratory for Immunohistochemistry and Immunopathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Oslo, Norway.
Müller
F
F
Oktedalen
O
O
Frøland
S S
SS
Fausa
O
O
Halstensen
T S
TS
Brandtzaeg
P
P
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology* / Q000401:mortality; D000328:Adult; D001708:Biopterins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D004386:Duodenum / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019798:Neopterin; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000032:analysis*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis
D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D001708:Biopterins; D019798:Neopterin