Different meaning of CD38 molecule expression on CD4+ and CD8+ cells of children perinatally infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection surviving longer than five years.
We investigated the relationship between CD4+CD38+, CD4+HLA-DR+, CD8+CD38+, and CD8+HLA-DR+ cell proportions (HLA-DR = major histocompatibility complex class II) (determined by two-color immunofluorescence) and the clinical condition, IL-2 and IL-6 production, viral RNA copy numbers, and the eventual immunologic-virologic course in 25 children perinatally infected with HIV-1 surviving longer than 5 y [median age, 92 (range, 63-136) mo]. Twelve healthy age-matched children were studied as control subjects. HIV-1+ children had lower percentages and absolute numbers of CD4+CD38+, whereas the percentages of CD4+HLA-DR+ and the percentages and absolute numbers of CD8+CD38+ and CD8+HLA-DR+ cells were higher than that of control subjects. The absolute numbers of CD4+ and the percentages of CD4+CD38+, CD8+CD38+, and CD8+HLA-DR+ cells directly correlated, whereas the percentages of CD4+CD38+ and CD4+HLA-DR+ cells, the percentages of CD4+CD38+ and CD8+CD38+ cells, the CD8+ cell absolute numbers, and the percentages of CD8+CD38+ cells did not. Severe manifestations and immunologic deterioration occurred in children with low CD4+CD38+ cell percentages, whereas virologic worsening was associated with low CD8+CD38+ and CD8+HLA-DR+ cell percentages. IL-2 production directly correlated with percentages and absolute numbers of CD4+CD38+ and CD8+CD38+ cells. RNA copy numbers inversely correlated with CD4+CD38+, CD4+HLA-DR+, CD8+CD38+, and CD8+HLA-DR+ cell percentages. This suggests that CD38 molecule expression on both CD4+ and CD8+ cell subsets is a favorable marker in HIV-1+ children. Perhaps CD8+CD38+ subsets are activated cells, whereas CD4+CD38+ subsets are immature cells, possibly the host's attempt at CD4+ cell renewal.
de Martino
M
M
Department of Medicine, University of Chieti, Italy.
Rossi
M E
ME
Azzari
C
C
Gelli
M G
MG
Galli
L
L
Vierucci
A
A
D036541:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000635:transmission; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009244:NAD+ Nucleosidase / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011379:Prognosis; D012016:Reference Values; D015996:Survival Rate; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D004279:DNA, Viral; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D036541:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase; C498154:CD38 protein, human; D009244:NAD+ Nucleosidase; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1