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CD28 expression in pediatric human immunodeficiency virus infection
T Niehues1, J Ndagijimana, G Horneff
1Department of Pediatrics, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany.
Pediatric Research
|August 14, 1998
Summary
Early HIV infection in children causes loss of apoptosis protection in CD8+ T cells, indicated by decreased CD28 expression. This immune alteration occurs even in early stages of pediatric HIV disease.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Increased lymphocyte apoptosis is a hallmark of HIV-induced immune destruction.
- Understanding the timing and T cell subset affected by apoptosis dysregulation is crucial for pediatric HIV management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the stage of pediatric HIV infection and specific T lymphocyte subpopulations (CD4+ or CD8+) where protection against apoptosis is compromised.
- To assess changes in CD28 expression as a marker for apoptosis protection loss.
Main Methods:
- Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis was used to study CD28 and CD95 expression in T cells from HIV-infected children, exposed infants, and healthy controls.
- Patients were categorized based on established Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria.
Main Results:
- Early-stage HIV-infected children (Category 1) exhibited significantly decreased CD28 expression and increased CD95 expression on CD8+ T cells compared to controls.
- No significant alterations in CD28 and CD95 expression were observed in the CD4+ T cell population in Category 1 patients.
- One exposed infant with the lowest CD8+ CD28 expression was later diagnosed with HIV.
Conclusions:
- Significant immunophenotypical changes, including loss of apoptosis protection in CD8+ T cells, are evident in the early stages of pediatric HIV infection.
- Decreased CD28 expression on CD8+ T cells may serve as an early indicator of immune dysregulation in pediatric HIV.