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.
Wang
Z Q
ZQ
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla 10595, USA.
Horowitz
H W
HW
Orlikowsky
T
T
Dudhane
A
A
Weinstein
A
A
Hoffmann
M K
MK
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