Monoclonal antibody-defined beta 2-microglobulin-positive mononuclear cells in acquired immune deficiency syndrome

In healthy heterosexuals, by means of a monoclonal antibody against beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m) and fluorescence-activated cell sorter analyser (FACS analyser), we observed two populations of beta 2m+ mononuclear cells (MNC); a large population with high-intensity cells and a small population of relatively low-intensity cells. Because elevated beta 2m levels have been shown in the sera of patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), we examined the proportions of beta 2m+ MNC in AIDS and AIDS-related complex (ARC). The proportions and numbers of high-fluorescence intensity beta 2m+ MNC were significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased in AIDS and ARC when compared with those of asymptomatic homosexuals and healthy heterosexuals. The proportion and number of total beta 2m+ MNC (both high- and low-intensity beta 2m+) in ARC were comparable to those of control groups; however, the numbers of total beta 2m+ MNC were significantly (P less than 0.01) reduced only in the AIDS group. This relative deficiency of high-intensity beta 2m+ MNC appears to be due to a shift from high-intensity beta 2m+ to low-intensity beta 2m+ MNC. A linear correlation was observed between the deficiency of high-intensity beta 2m+ cells and T helper to T suppressor phenotype cell ratios.