Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were prepared from human immunodeficiency virus‐positive (HIV+) individuals (n = 46) to investigate the expression of both chains of the interleukin‐2 receptor. Both qualitative and quantitative changes in expression were observed. Total lymphocyte expression of the IL‐2α chain (CD25) was decreased compared with HIV‐negative (HIV−) controls. This was due to the decrease in the CD4+ population, which favored expression of this receptor, rather than a decrease in expression, per se. CD8+ lymphocytes expressed the β chain (CD122) in the absence of the α chain. However, a significant increase in the number of peripheral blood CD8+ lymphocytes expressing mainly the β subunit was observed in HIV+ patients (P = 0.02). This was observed to a similar extent in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients and characterized a subpopulation of T lymphocytes expressing high levels of CD8. Lymphocytes from patients with advanced HIV disease failed to up‐regulate both α and β chains in response to mitogenic concentrations of phytohaemagglutanin. However, those cells that were able to up‐regulate both of the IL‐2 receptors were capable of effective signal transduction through the receptor, increasing the proliferative response to stimulation. Cytometry 30:289–295, 1997. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.