Three-color cytofluorometric analysis of CD8 cell subsets in HIV-1 infection

Previous studies have shown that CD8 cell subsets, some expressing activation markers, are elevated in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. To assess the overlap of these subsets, we used three-color flow cytometry to phenotype CD8 cells in cryopreserved mononuclear cells from uninfected controls and from people infected with HIV, in CDC classes II, III, and IV (n = 12 per group). There were several CD8 subset changes observed in association with HIV infection. A shift from a naive (CD45RA+CD45RO-) to a memory (CD45RA-CD45RO+) phenotype occurred in the CD8 subset, but the intermediate phenotype (CD45RA+CD45RO+) was unchanged. Increases in DR+CD8 and CD38+CD8 cells were noted in both naive and memory CD8 subsets, defined by CD45RA or CD45RO expression. Both the CD57+ and CD57- subsets of DR+CD8 cells were increased, whereas only the CD57+ subset of CD38+CD8 cells was elevated. The increase in CD57+CD8 cells reflected a selective rise in CD57+CD8 cells coexpressing CD38, DR, and CD45RO. The CD38+ DR+ CD8 subset was markedly increased and was apparently derived from both the CD38-DR-CD8 and CD38+DR-CD8 subsets. Compared with classes II and III, the CDC class IV group showed an increased proportion of CD8 cells expressing CD38; higher percentages of CD38+DR+CD8, CD38+CD45RA-CD8, and DR+CD45RO+CD8 subsets; and decreased percentages of CD38-CD45RA+CD8 and CD38-CD57-CD8 cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)