Premium
Cytotoxic Capabilities of Lymphocytes from Patients with the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Author(s) -
GERSTOFT J.,
DICKMEISS E.,
MATHIESEN L.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.934
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1365-3083
pISSN - 0300-9475
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3083.1985.tb01904.x
Subject(s) - cytotoxic t cell , ctl* , immunology , in vitro , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , biology , lymphocyte , peripheral blood , incubation , effector , inducer , interleukin 2 , cytokine , genetics , gene , biochemistry
Lymphocytes from 16 AIDS patients were tested in the cell‐mediated lympholysis assay (CML). The ability to produce alloreactive cytotoxic lymphocytes in vitro was found to be substantially reduced when compared with concomitantly investigated normal controls. Addition of interleukin 2 (IL‐2) to the inducer cultures increased the cytotoxic activity, but not to normal levels. The CML response did not correlate wilh the relative or absolute number of Leu 3 + ceils or the proliferation in effector suspensions. The ability to produce cytotoxtc cells in CML. and the degree of potentialion by IL‐2. was positively correlated with the absolute number of Leu 2 + cells in peripheral blood of the patients, which was below normal in 56% of the patients. It is suggested thai the tow CML m AIDS patients is primarily caused by defective T‐cell help In addition patients wilh decreased absolute numbers of Leu 2 + cells may have a reduced number of CTL precursors. The natural killer (NK) activity of AIDS lymphocytes was reduced, but could be improved by incubation with IL‐2 in vitro. The mononuclear cells from the patients showed a decreased ability to respond and 10 stimulate in the mixed lymphocyte culture. In one of the AIDS patients, the CML was found lo induce autoreactivity in vitro.