CD20+ T cell numbers are decreased in untreated HIV-1 patients and recover after HAART.
To elucidate if CD20(+) T cells are affected by HIV-1 infection and may have a prognostic value for the course of disease, numbers of CD20(+) T cells were determined in healthy controls, untreated and HAART-treated HIV-1 patients. Coexpression patterns of CD4, CD8, and CD38 were analysed on CD3(+)CD20(+) and CD3(+)CD20(-) T cells. We found a significant decrease of CD20(+) T cell numbers in untreated HIV-1 patients (1.4%) as compared to healthy controls (2.5%) which recovered under HAART (1.9%). Particularly, the CD8(+) T cell compartment was affected revealing significant differences between healthy controls (3.4%) and both treated (1.7%) and untreated (1.1%) patients. CD38 was expressed on a few CD20(+) T cells but preferentially on CD20(-) cells in all three groups. IFN-γ production was measured upon cell activation using PMA alone or in combination with ionomycin in order to assess functional capacities of the cells. PMA alone was much more effective in CD20(+) cells regardless of CD38 coexpression, indicating a supportive role of CD20 but not CD38 in T cell activation. Here we present data showing that CD3(+)CD20(+) T cells are decreased in untreated HIV-1 patients and normal numbers are restored under HAART. Expression of CD20 and CD38 is independently regulated on T cells. Contrary to CD38, CD20 can substitute ionophores for Ca(2+) flux in early T cell activation and also strongly amplify cell stimulation in the presence of Ca(2+) ionophores, indicating that CD20 contributes to T cell activation.
Dept. of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Hannover Medical University, Hannover, Germany.
Friederike
F
Förster
Anuj
A
Singla
Sunil K
SK
Arora
Reinhold E
RE
Schmidt
Roland
R
Jacobs
D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015870:Gene Expression; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D017252:CD3 Complex; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate