T cell receptor gamma/delta+ lymphocyte subsets during HIV infection

The gamma/delta T cell receptor is expressed on 1-15% of normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). This subpopulation is recognized by anti-TcR-delta 1 MoAb which is functionally defined as a pan-delta MoAb. Two other antibodies, anti-Ti-gamma A and anti-delta-TcS1 are directed at variable determinants of either the gamma or the delta chain, respectively. In normal individuals anti-Ti-gamma A characterizes two thirds of the TcR-delta 1+ subpopulation whereas anti-delta TcS1 reacts with most of the delta-TcR1+, Ti-gamma A- cells. In the present study, we have used these three MoAbs to characterize the TcR gamma/delta+ peripheral lymphocytes during HIV infection. Fifty patients at three distinct clinical stages (SPC/PGL, ARC, AIDS) of the infection have been studied. The Ti-gamma A+ subset in the whole group accounted for 3.45% of PBL and did not differ from controls; it was also unchanged when the three groups were analysed separately. The Ti-gamma A+ circulating cells were in a resting state as assessed by the absence of surface-expressed activation markers. In contrast, in some patients the proportion of circulating TcR-delta 1+, Ti-gamma A-, delta TcS1+ cells was increased (4.75%) leading to an inversion of the Ti-gamma A/delta-TcS1 ratio. Altogether, those data suggest a conservation of the Ti-gamma A+ subset during HIV infection, contrasting with an increase of the delta-TcS1+, Ti-gamma A- fraction in some cases.