title: Activation of the CD95 (APO-1/Fas) system in T cells from human immunodeficiency virus type-1-infected children.
abstract: Increased apoptosis of CD4+ T cells is considered to be involved in CD4+ T-cell depletion in human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1)-infected individuals progressing toward acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). We have recently shown that CD95 (APO-1/Fas) expression is strongly increased in T cells of HIV-1-infected children. In this report we provide further evidence for a deregulated CD95 system in AIDS. CD95 expression in HIV-1+ children is not restricted to previously activated CD45RO+ T cells but is also increased on freshly isolated naive CD45RA+ T cells. In addition, specific CD95-mediated apoptosis is enhanced in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, levels of CD95 ligand mRNA are profoundly increased. Specific T-cell receptor/CD3-triggered apoptosis in HIV-1+ children is more enhanced in CD8+ than in CD4+ T cells. Accelerated activation induced cell death of T cells could partially be inhibited by blocking anti-CD95 antibody fragments. These data suggest an involvement of the CD95 receptor/ligand system in T-cell depletion and apoptosis in AIDS and may open new avenues of rational intervention strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology/Oncology, University Children's Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Bäumler
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Böhler
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Herr
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Benner
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Krammer
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Debatin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018450:Disease Progression; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D054562:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 1; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C505661:FASLG protein, human; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D019014:fas Receptor; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens; D054562:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 1