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Peptide-based Identification of Functional Motifs and their Binding Partners
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Peptide-based Identification of Functional Motifs and their Binding Partners

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An activated CD8+ T cell phenotype correlates with anti-HIV activity and asymptomatic clinical status

A L Landay1, C E Mackewicz, J A Levy

  • 1Department of Immunology/Microbiology, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612-3864.

Clinical Immunology and Immunopathology
|October 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Specific CD8+ cells expressing HLA-DR and CD28 are key to fighting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These cells show reduced anti-HIV function as the disease progresses, suggesting their potential as a prognostic indicator.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • CD8+ T cells play a crucial role in controlling viral infections, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
  • Understanding the specific subsets of CD8+ cells responsible for anti-HIV activity is essential for developing effective therapeutic strategies.
  • Phenotypic markers on CD8+ cells may correlate with their functional capacity against HIV.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between cell surface marker phenotype and anti-HIV function of CD8+ T cells.
  • To identify specific CD8+ cell subsets associated with antiviral activity in individuals with varying stages of HIV infection.

Main Methods:

  • Multiparametric flow cytometry was used to analyze cell surface markers on CD8+ cells.
  • CD8+ cell subsets expressing HLA-DR and CD28 were identified and quantified.
  • In vitro assays were performed to assess the antiviral activity of separated CD8+ cell subsets.

Main Results:

  • Significant changes in CD8+ cell phenotype were observed, particularly in subsets expressing HLA-DR and CD28.
  • High levels of CD8+ CD28+ HLA-DR+ cells correlated with strong anti-HIV responses in infected individuals.
  • Anti-HIV activity resided predominantly in CD8+ cells expressing HLA-DR or CD28.
  • Longitudinal studies showed a decrease in CD8+ cell anti-HIV activity with disease progression to AIDS.

Conclusions:

  • The CD8+ CD28+ HLA-DR+ cell subset is primarily responsible for natural anti-HIV activity.
  • Alterations in this specific CD8+ cell subset may serve as a prognostic indicator for HIV disease progression.

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