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In Vitro Assay to Evaluate the Impact of Immunoregulatory Pathways on HIV-specific CD4 T Cell Effector Function
09:26

In Vitro Assay to Evaluate the Impact of Immunoregulatory Pathways on HIV-specific CD4 T Cell Effector Function

Published on: October 16, 2013

Immunologic evaluation of persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus

C R Horsburgh1

  • 1AIDS Program, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia.

Clinics in Laboratory Medicine
|September 1, 1989
PubMed

Insights

HIV infection severely impacts immunity, decreasing CD4+ helper and CD8+ suppressor T cells. Immune testing, including T-cell counts and immunoglobulin levels, helps assess HIV-related immunosuppression and guide treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Clinical Laboratory Science

Background:

  • HIV infection profoundly affects cellular and humoral immunity.
  • Key immune cells like CD4+ (helper) and CD8+ (suppressor) T cells are significantly reduced.
  • Macrophages also exhibit functional deficits in HIV-infected individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline the immunological changes associated with HIV infection.
  • To identify key laboratory tests for evaluating immune status in HIV patients.
  • To discuss the prognostic value of immunological markers and future therapeutic implications.

Main Methods:

  • Enumeration of circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.
  • Quantitation of circulating immunoglobulins.
  • Assessment of T-cell proliferation in vitro and antibody responses in vivo/in vitro.

Main Results:

  • HIV infection leads to decreased CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts.
  • Cellular immune function, including T-cell proliferation, is often impaired.
  • Humoral immunity shows B-cell activation and diminished antibody responses.
  • Macrophage functions are also frequently compromised.

Conclusions:

  • CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts and immunoglobulin levels are crucial for assessing HIV-related immunosuppression.
  • These immunological tests aid in differentiating HIV from other immunodeficiencies and selecting treatments.
  • Future research and therapies aim to restore normal immune function in HIV-infected individuals.

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