CD8+CD60+T Cells and Disease Progression in Children Livingwith HIV

CD60 is a T cell marker expressed on blood lymphocytes. CD8+CD60+ T cells may play a role in inflammatory responses due to human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1). Our laboratory demonstrated that CD8+CD60+ T cells are higher in HIV positive compared with HIV negative subjects. The present study evaluated numbers of CD8+CD60+ in blood of HIV positive children at various stages of HIV-1 disease. The function of CD8+CD60+ T cells in HIV pathogenesis is unknown.

CD8+CD60+ T cells were measured in blood of HIV positive (N=20) and HIV negative (N=10) children (flow cytometry). Children with HIV were classified into four clinical categories (N, A, B, C) based on symptoms/diagnoses related to HIV infection. Numbers of CD8+CD60+ T cells were compared in HIV positive versus HIV negative children (Wilcoxon signed rank test) and based on clinical categories.

CD8+CD60+ T cells were higher in HIV positive compared with HIV negative children (P=<0.0001). CD8+CD60+ T cells in blood of HIV positive children were highest in the C category; these cells were associated with disease progression (P=0.0158).

CD8+CD60+ T cells were higher in HIV positive children and may be a marker for disease progression.