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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
Peptide-based Identification of Functional Motifs and their Binding Partners
Published on: July 1, 2013
Expression of costimulatory molecule CD28 on T cells in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection: functional and
J E Brinchmann1, J H Dobloug, B H Heger
1Institute of Transplantation Immunology, National Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Insights
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection impairs CD8+ T cell function, particularly those expressing CD28. Reduced CD28+ CD8+ cells correlate with HIV-related disease severity, suggesting a role in AIDS pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- T cell dysfunction is a hallmark of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection.
- The role of specific T cell subsets and costimulatory molecules in HIV-1 pathogenesis requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional integrity of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in individuals with HIV-1 infection.
- To determine the impact of the costimulatory molecule CD28 on T cell function and its association with disease progression in HIV-1.
Main Methods:
- Assessed T cell proliferation and interleukin-2 (IL-2) secretion in response to superantigens and anti-CD3/TCR antibodies.
- Quantified CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, with a focus on CD28 expression, in HIV-1-infected individuals and controls.
- Correlated CD28+ CD8+ cell counts with HIV-related disease status.
Main Results:
- HIV-1 infection was associated with a functional defect in CD8+ T cells, not CD4+ T cells.
- CD8+ T cell proliferation and IL-2 secretion were dependent on CD28 expression.
- CD28+ CD8+ T cells were proportionally reduced in HIV-1-infected individuals.
- In advanced immunodeficiency, even CD28+ CD8+ cells showed functional impairment.
- A significant correlation was found between lower CD28+ CD8+ cell numbers and the presence of HIV-related disease.
Conclusions:
- CD28 expression is critical for CD8+ T cell function in the context of HIV-1 infection.
- The reduction and potential functional derangement of CD28+ CD8+ T cells are linked to HIV-1 pathogenesis and disease progression.
- Regulation of CD28 expression may be a key factor in the development of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Abstract:
To study the functional integrity of T cells from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected persons, CD4+ and CD8+ cells were examined for proliferation and secretion of interleukin-2 (IL-2) in response to staphylococcal superantigens and antibodies to CD3 and the alpha beta T cell receptor. A functional defect within CD8+ but not within CD4+ cells from HIV-1-infected persons was observed. Within CD8+ cells, proliferation and secretion of IL-2 was restricted to cells expressing the costimulatory molecule CD28. Such cells were proportionally reduced in HIV-1-infected persons. In patients with advanced immunodeficiency, however, evidence of functional derangement was found also within the CD28+ CD8+ cells. In a cross-sectional study of 73 HIV-infected persons and 15 controls, a significant correlation was observed between the number of CD28+ CD8+ cells and the presence of HIV-related disease. Our results suggest that regulation of expression of CD28 may play an important role in the immunopathogenesis of AIDS.
