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Peripheral blood mononuclear cells during natural measles virus infection: cell surface phenotypes and evidence for
Abstract:
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 25 patients with measles and 13 patients with other diseases from Lima, Peru, were studied by immunocytochemical staining for cell surface antigens indicating the type of cell (Leu 4, Leu 3, T8, B1, M1, or esterase) and the state of cell activation (T10 and IL-2 receptor). Measles patients were studied during the first 2 weeks of disease and had no alteration in the proportion of cells which were positive for any subset marker or in the ratio of helper/inducer to cytotoxic/suppressor T cells compared to controls. Measles patients, however, had a greater number of cells expressing the activation antigens T10 and IL-2 receptor than controls. Incorporation of [3H]thymidine was also higher in measles patients when exogenous natural or recombinant IL-2 was added to unstimulated cultured cells. We conclude that the peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes of patients with measles have normal proportions of helper/inducer and cytotoxic/suppressor T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and monocytes but that an increased number of these cells are in an activated state.
Insights
Measles patients show normal immune cell proportions but increased activation markers. This suggests a heightened immune response during the early stages of measles infection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- Measles is a highly contagious viral illness.
- Understanding the immune response in measles is crucial for management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immune cell profiles and activation states in patients with measles.
- To compare measles patients' immune cells to those with other diseases.
Main Methods:
- Immunocytochemical staining of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) for cell surface antigens.
- Analysis of T cell subsets (Leu 4, Leu 3, T8), B cells (B1), monocytes (M1, esterase), and activation markers (T10, IL-2 receptor).
- Measurement of [3H]thymidine incorporation in cultured cells with and without IL-2.
Main Results:
- No significant alteration in the proportion of immune cell subsets or helper/cytotoxic T cell ratios in measles patients.
- Increased expression of activation antigens (T10, IL-2 receptor) on PBMCs from measles patients.
- Elevated [3H]thymidine incorporation in measles patients' cells upon IL-2 stimulation.
Conclusions:
- Peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes in measles patients exhibit normal subset proportions.
- A greater number of immune cells in measles patients are in an activated state during the early disease phase.
- These findings indicate a robust but not quantitatively altered immune cell response in early measles.