title: 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.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, UCLA School of Public Health, USA.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Hultin
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Cumberland
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hultin
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Matud
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Detels
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Giorgi
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: 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