Comparison of the frequency of interleukin (IL)-2-, interferon-gamma-, and IL-4-producing T cells in 2 diseases, human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2, with distinct clinical outcomes.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 2 infection is associated with a better clinical outcome, slower rates of CD4 T cell decline, and lower viremia than is HIV-1. This study compares HIV-1 and HIV-2 in regard to the percentages of interleukin (IL)-2-, interferon (IFN)-gamma-, and IL-4-producing cells at the single-cell level, as determined by flow cytometry. At a given degree of CD4 T cell depletion, the frequency of T cells able to produce IL-2 is better preserved in HIV-2 than in HIV-1 infection, particularly within the CD4 T cell subset. As described for HIV-1 immunodeficiency, HIV-2-positive patients exhibit a marked expansion of terminally differentiated effector CD8 T cells (CD28(-)CD27(-)IFN-gamma(+)). However, the proportion of CD8 T cells able to simultaneously produce IL-2 and IFN-gamma is higher in HIV-2 disease. Considering the central role of IL-2 as a lymphocyte proliferative and survival factor, these findings provide a possible immunologic basis for the distinct course of HIV-2 immunodeficiency.
Sousa
A E
AE
Cellular Immunology Unit, Center for Biology and Molecular Pathology, Department of Medicine 2, University Hospital of Santa Maria, Faculty of Medicine of Lisbon, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal. asousa@fm.ul.pt
Chaves
A F
AF
Loureiro
A
A
Victorino
R M
RM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D015498:HIV-2 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D016207:Cytokines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma