Role of transforming growth factor-beta1 in the suppressed allostimulatory function of AIDS patients.
BACKGROUND
The T-cell stimulatory function of accessory cells isolated from peripheral blood lymphocytes of AIDS patients has been reported to be suppressed. These patients also have elevated levels of the immunosuppressive factor transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 in their serum and plasma.


OBJECTIVE
To explore the role of TGF-beta1 in the loss of accessory cell function of peripheral blood lymphocytes from AIDS patients.


METHODS
Fluorescent labeled anti-TGF-beta1 and confocal microscopy were used to detect the presence of TGF-beta1 on the cell membrane of dendritic cells. To assess the role of TGF-beta1 in the inhibition of accessory cell function in AIDS, antibodies against TGF-beta1 or the TGF-beta1 type III receptor, beta-glycan, were added to a mixed lymphocyte reaction.


RESULTS
TGF-beta1 was detected on the cell membrane of dendritic cells isolated from AIDS patients. The addition of blocking antibodies against either TGF-beta1 or beta-glycan restored the T-cell stimulatory function to accessory cells from these patients.


CONCLUSIONS
T-cell stimulatory function was not irreversibly lost in AIDS patients. Our data suggested that beta-glycan-TGF-beta1 immunosuppressive complexes may contribute to the suppression of accessory cell function in these patients.
Brooks
S P
SP
Department of Molecular Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York 14263, USA.
Bernstein
Z P
ZP
Schneider
S L
SL
Gollnick
S O
SO
Tomasi
T B
TB
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D014357:Trypsin / Q000494:pharmacology
D000906:Antibodies; D011509:Proteoglycans; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; C071736:betaglycan; D014357:Trypsin