CD8+ CD11+ suppressor cells in HIV-infected asymptomatic patients: effect on HIV-specific cytotoxicity

CD3+CD8+CD11+ cells were present in the peripheral blood of patients infected with asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in higher percentage (10-20%) than in normal individuals (3-5%) in this study. These cells, through the release of soluble factors, significantly suppressed the effector phase of anti-HIV cytotoxic activities, both human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-class I or class II restricted, and nonrestricted. The effectors were CD8+CD11-, CD4+ T cells, and CD16+ cells for HLA-class I, class II restricted, and nonrestricted cytotoxicities, respectively. The soluble factors also inhibited natural killer cell activity. Thus, this effect was neither HLA-restricted nor antigen-specific. These CD3+CD8+CD11+ cells may be an important immunopathogenic factor in HIV disease.