Immunologically oriented concept of the genesis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

An immunologically oriented concept of the genesis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is presented in which the central event is the lack of cytotoxic T8 cells. An interlocking system wherein the T4 (helper) cells do not synthesize interleukin-2 to generate the cytotoxic cells due to the lack of functional thymosin as well as the lack of interleukin-1 from the macrophages is postulated. The transmissible agent which sets the cascade of immunologic imbalance into play replicates only in the thymic epithelium and subverts thymosin synthesis. The T8 cells in the syndrome are exclusively H2 positive and functionally suppressor. The macrophage which phagocytizes the effete thymic epithelium hematogenously spreads the transmissible agent to others. Kaposi's sarcoma is considered to be an integral component of the immunologic disarray in that angiogenesis is proposed to require two essential events - endothelial cell proliferation and movement of those cells. Under normal circumstances although the activated macrophage elaborates a monokine that has endothelial cell proliferative inducing capacity the cells are held in situ by a lymphokine that prevents movement. The lymphokine is considered to be IL-2. Eight predictions of the model which are experimentally testable are presented.