title: HIV-1 transgenic rats develop T cell abnormalities.
abstract: HIV-1 infection leads to impaired antigen-specific T cell proliferation, increased susceptibility of T cells to apoptosis, progressive impairment of T-helper 1 (Th1) responses, and altered maturation of HIV-1-specific memory cells. We have identified similar impairments in HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) rats. Tg rats developed an absolute reduction in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells able to produce IFN-gamma following activation and an increased susceptibility of T cells to activation-induced apoptosis. CD4+ and CD8+ effector/memory (CD45RC- CD62L-) pools were significantly smaller in Tg rats compared to non-Tg controls, although the converse was true for the naïve (CD45RC+ CD62L+) T cell pool. Our interpretation is that the HIV transgene causes defects in the development of T cell effector function and generation of specific effector/memory T cell subsets, and that activation-induced apoptosis may be an essential factor in this process.
authors.affiliation: Division of Basic Science, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. reid@umbi.umd.edu
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: Sayed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abdelwahab
authors.forename: Mariola
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sadowska
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Huso
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Neal
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahearn
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bryant
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Gallo
authors.forename: George K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Marvin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reitz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D017209:Apoptosis; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000032:analysis; D019041:L-Selectin / Q000032:analysis; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D023421:Models, Animal; D051381:Rats / Q000235:genetics*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D019041:L-Selectin; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens