HIV disease in children is associated with a selective decrease in CD23+ and CD62L+ B cells.
We characterized the surface phenotype of B cells from HIV+ children in order to better understand the biology of B cell dysregulation. Twenty-nine HIV-infected, twenty-one exposed, and nineteen age-matched control children were studied for expression of CD5, CD10, CD21, CD23, CD25, CD62L, CD71, and CD69. We conclude that, despite persistent high immunoglobulin levels, total B cells decreased as HIV disease progressed, with selective decreases in CD62L+ and CD23+ B cells. This resulted in an increased proportion of usually minor subpopulations of CD62L- and CD23-negative B cells. We did not find significantly altered B cell expression of other activation/immaturity antigens. This suggests an absolute decrease in a subset of antigen-responsive B cells and a disproportionate increase in a subset of hyperstimulated B cells. These findings provide a biological basis for the paradoxical generalized B cell hyperactivity and specific immune unresponsiveness that are characteristic of HIV infection in children.
Rodriguez
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C
Department of Pediatrics, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
Thomas
J K
JK
O'Rourke
S
S
Stiehm
E R
ER
Plaeger
S
S
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000235:genetics; D018941:Antigens, CD19 / Q000032:analysis; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / Q000235:genetics; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006942:Hypergammaglobulinemia / Q000276:immunology; D007223:Infant; D019041:L-Selectin / Q000032:analysis; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D015260:Neprilysin / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000032:analysis; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin
D015703:Antigens, CD; D018941:Antigens, CD19; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; C068126:CD71 antigen; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin; D019041:L-Selectin; D015260:Neprilysin