Lymphocyte-reactive autoantibodies in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected persons facilitate the deletion of CD8 T cells by macrophages.
The number of peripheral blood CD8 T cells declines in advanced stages of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection coinciding with the transition from a clinically asymptomatic state of infection to AIDS. Although blood monocytes/macrophages exhibit cytotoxicity for CD4 T cells soon after HIV infection, cytotoxicity against CD8 T cells occurs at the time when HIV infection advances. The cytotoxic reaction is mediated by immunoglobulins that bind to T cells and which can be eluted from them. The immunoglobulins enable macrophages from noninfected persons to destroy healthy T cells in tissue culture. Lymphocyte-reactive autoantibodies (LRAs) occur physiologically as a result of chronic allo- or self-antigen stimulation. Lymphopenic, autoimmune lupus erythematosus patients exhibit LRAs that facilitate the deletion of T cells by macrophages. It is proposed that LRAs represent an immunoregulatory cytotoxic mechanism that is activated after chronic immune stimulation and is engaged by HIV to deplete host lymphocytes.
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla 10595, USA.
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ZQ
Wang
H W
HW
Horowitz
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T
Orlikowsky
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Dudhane
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A
Weinstein
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Hoffmann
D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*
D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D001323:Autoantibodies