Elevated relative fluorescence intensity of CD38 antigen expression on CD8+ T cells is a marker of poor prognosis in HIV infection: results of 6 years of follow-up.
Relative fluorescence intensity measurements from a flow cytometer were used to evaluate expression of CD38 and HLA-DR antigens. These molecules are associated with cellular activation and are present at increased levels on the CD8+ lymphocytes of HIV-infected subjects. In the current study, the prognostic value of mean fluorescence intensity measurements of CD38 and HLA-DR on CD8+ cells was compared to results from our previous study in which we reported prognostic value for an elevated percentage of CD8+ cells that were positive for expression of the CD38 antigen (Giorgi et al.: JAIDS 6:904-912, 1993). Using the proportional hazards model, elevated mean fluorescence intensity of CD38 expression on CD8+ cells had prognostic value for development of AIDS that was almost identical to the prognostic value of the percentage of CD8+ cells that were positive for expression of CD38. This prognostic value was in addition to that provided by the patient's CD4+ cell measurement. To our knowledge, this is the first report that a measurement of fluorescence intensity can be used as a prognostic marker in an immunodeficiency disease. Efforts are needed to establish methods that will allow widespread application of this observation in the clinical management of HIV-infected subjects.
Liu
Z
Z
Department of Epidemiology, UCLA School of Public Health, USA.
Hultin
L E
LE
Cumberland
W G
WG
Hultin
P
P
Schmid
I
I
Matud
J L
JL
Detels
R
R
Giorgi
J V
JV
D036541:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis*; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000032:analysis*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009699:N-Glycosyl Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009699:N-Glycosyl Hydrolases; D036541:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase; C498154:CD38 protein, human; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1