CD7 expression distinguishes subsets of CD4(+) T cells with distinct functional properties and ability to support replication of HIV-1.
Enrichment of a subset of CD4(+)CD45R0(+)CD7(-) T cells has been observed in HIV-infected individuals. We have investigated the ability of CD7(+) and CD7(-) T cells to support replication of HIV and show that virus replicates preferentially in CD7(+) cells. Several possible mechanisms that may underlie such differences in susceptibility to HIV were studied. Our data demonstrate that mitogen stimulation induces poor expression of CD25 and IL-2 in CD7(-) compared with CD7(+) cells. We also show that uninfected CD7(-) cells are more resistant to mitogen-induced apoptosis than CD7(+) cells. Our data support the view that the CD7(-) subset is inherently resistant to HIV replication and that this is due in part to reduced CD25 expression and IL-2 production.
Wallace
D L
DL
Edward Jenner Institute for Vaccine Research, Compton, GB. diana.wallace@jenner.ac.uk
Matear
P M
PM
Davies
D C
DC
Hicks
R
R
Lebosse
C
C
Eyeson
J
J
Beverley
P C
PC
Vyakarnam
A
A
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D019011:Antigens, CD7 / Q000276:immunology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000276:immunology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000276:immunology*
D019011:Antigens, CD7