Detection of CD8 T-cell expansions with restricted T-cell receptor V gene usage in infants vertically infected by HIV-1.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire usage in infants born to mothers infected with HIV-1 in order to discern possible perturbations in TCR usage as a consequence of HIV-1 infection.


METHODS
Blood samples from five HIV-1-infected and six non-infected children born to HIV-1-seropositive mothers were collected at two to three timepoints during the first and second year of life and the TCR variable gene usage was determined.


METHODS
Triple staining flow cytometry analysis using a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAb) to TCR V alpha and V beta gene products and antibodies to CD4 and CD8 was performed.


RESULTS
Frequent large expansions of CD8+ lymphocyte subpopulations bearing distinct V alpha and V beta gene products was seen in HIV-1-infected children (four out of five) but was rarely detected in uninfected children.


CONCLUSIONS
The study demonstrated the frequent occurrence of persistent and clonal expansions of CD8+ T cells bearing distinct V alpha/V beta gene products in some HIV-1 vertically infected infants similar to those observed during primary infection in adults.
Halapi
E
E
Microbiology and Tumourbiology Centre, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Gigliotti
D
D
Hodara
V
V
Scarlatti
G
G
Tovo
P A
PA
DeMaria
A
A
Wigzell
H
H
Rossi
P
P
D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000635:transmission; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D017421:Sequence Analysis
D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell