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T cell receptor usage in patients with non-progressing HIV infection
M D Bodman-Smith1, I Williams, R Johnstone
1Dept of Immunology and Molecular Pathology and Centre for Infectious Diseases and Department of Medicine, royal Free and University College Medical School, Leeds, UK.
Clinical and Experimental Immunology
|September 26, 2002
Summary
Investigating T cell receptor V beta (TCRBV) gene usage in long-term non-progressing HIV patients revealed increased CD8+ T cells expressing TCRBV2 and TCRBV8. Lower levels of TCRBV8+ CD8+ T cells may predict faster HIV disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Genetics
Background:
- The variable progression of HIV to AIDS is not fully understood.
- Investigating T cell receptor V beta (TCRBV) gene usage may offer insights into differential disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the TCRBV repertoire in peripheral blood T lymphocytes of long-term non-progressing HIV patients (LTNP).
- To determine if biased usage of T cell receptor V gene products is associated with slower HIV progression.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze TCRBV gene expression on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in 17 HIV-LTNP patients and controls.
- Specific TCRBV families (e.g., TCRBV3S5, BV5S1-3, BV6S1, etc.) were quantified.
Main Results:
- HIV-LTNP patients showed increased absolute numbers of CD8+ T cells expressing TCRBV2 and TCRBV8 compared to controls.
- Lower initial levels of TCRBV8+ CD8+ T cells correlated with lower CD4+ T cell counts at follow-up.
- A significant increase in CD8+ gamma delta (gammadelta) T cells was observed in HIV-LTNP patients.
Conclusions:
- Increased CD8+ T cells, particularly those expressing TCRBV2 and TCRBV8, may indicate an immune response to HIV antigens or superantigens.
- Low levels of TCRBV8+ CD8+ T cells might predict more rapid HIV disease progression, suggesting a protective role.
- The expansion of gammadelta T cells suggests their involvement in the host response to HIV infection.