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Longitudinal study of leukocyte functions in homosexual men seroconverted for HIV: rapid and persistent loss of B cell function after HIV infection
Author(s) -
Terpstra Fokke G.,
J. M. Al Bert,
Roos Marijke T. H. L.,
Wolf Frank De,
Goudsmit Jaap,
Schellekens Peter T. H. A.,
Miedema Frank
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
european journal of immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.272
H-Index - 201
eISSN - 1521-4141
pISSN - 0014-2980
DOI - 10.1002/eji.1830190415
Subject(s) - pokeweed mitogen , seroconversion , biology , immunology , monocyte , b cell , antibody , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , t cell , virology , in vitro , immune system , biochemistry
Abstract The early effects of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were investigated in homosexual men who had seroconverted for anti‐HIV antibodies. Leukocyte functional activities were determined in longitudinally collected peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples. During the first 10 months following seroconversion, anti‐CD3 monoclonal antibody‐induced T cell proliferation, monocyte accessory function and T helper activity on B cell differentiation in a pokeweed mitogen‐driven system were not affected. In contrast, from the moment of seroconversion on, B cells of seroconverted men failed to produce immunoglobulin in the pokeweed mitogendriven system. This defect was not restored by addition of normal CD4 + T cells. Immunoglobulin synthesis induced by Staphylococcus aureus and interleukin 2 decreased gradually, until it was completely lost 10 months after seroconversion. In addition, proliferation in response to anti‐IgM or Staphylococcus aureus by B cells from HIV seroconverted men was decreased. The lack of inducible in vitro B cell activity was not accompanied by elevated spontaneous Ig synthesis by B cells of the seroconverted men. In the second group of men studied during the 2nd year following seroconversion, T helper activity on normal B cell differentiation significantly decreased, whereas anti‐CD3‐induced T cell proliferation and monocyte accessory function were not significantly affected. Our results demonstrate that in almost all HIV‐infected individuals B cell functional defects are the first leukocyte abnormalities observed preceding defects in T helper activity.