T Cell Immunophenotypes and DR Antigen Expression in Intravenous Drug Users

Abstract

Thirty-six intravenous drug users were studied for peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) immunophenotypes and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serological profiles. This population has a high risk for developing HIV infection. Half (18/36) were HIV antibody (Ab) negative (––) and half were positive (+). Total T lymphocytes (CD3+ and CD2+) were not different between HIV Ab-negative and HIV-positive groups. Unactivated T(CD3 + DR––) cells/mm³ were less (p = 0.003) in HIV Ab-positive patients (1,467 ± 628) compared to HIV Ab-negative patients (2,190 ± 695). T-helper (CD4+) cells/mm³ were also less in HIV Ab-positive patients (762 ± 344 vs. 1,161 ± 419, p = 0.005). The most significant difference was in activated T lymphocyte (CD3 + DR+) percentages where the mean was 9.6% in those HIV Ab-positive compared to 3.8% in seronegatives (p < 0.001). Preliminary studies showed that in vitro naloxone treatment of PBMC had no effects on immunophenotypic expression except for CD3 + DR+ lymphocytes, where a significant reduction was observed in the HIV Ab-positive group (p = 0.022) but not in the HIV ab-negative group. These findings suggest that in certain populations, activated T cells may be an early manifestation of HIV infection.

Close Relationships between Neopterin and Beta-2-Microglobulin Levels in Intravenous Drug Abusers

“…In addition, we report the relationships between these two parameters and various previously reported [3][4][5] immunophénotypes (including H LA-DR + CD3 + cells) and soluble CDS antigen concentrations. At the present time, it is not known whether certain immune activation markers related to clinical progression are independent or are interdependent.…”

“…In another lymphocytotropic infection, infectious mononucleo sis, activation (DR expression) of CD8+ lymphocytes has been shown to correlate with the release of soluble CD8 antigen in the serum as well as with the level of serum interleukin 2 receptor [16,17]. We have previ ously reported that serum sCD8 levels correlate sig nificantly with DR + CD3+ peripheral blood mono nuclear cells of HIV-infected IVDA patients [3], and other reports have shown that DR expression on T cells in HIV infection occurs primarily on CD8+ cells [18,19]. The data described herein show a positive correlation between both sCD8 levels and DR + CD3 cells with neopterin and [T-microglobulin levels.…”

“…Thirty-six previously described IVDA patients [3] were studied from this institution. None had symptoms or signs of AIDS or ARC.…”

“…The methods of assessing peripheral blood mononuclear cell immunophenotypes have been previously described [3] and in cluded the use of commercial directly fluorochrome-conjugated monoclonal antibodies -leu 2 (CD8), 3 (CD4), 4 (CD3), 5 (CD2), 7, 11, M3, and DR (Becton Dickinson, Sunnyvale Calif., USA) -and two-color analysis. Aliquots of serum stored at -70°C were used for all serological studies.…”

“…Recent interest in utilizing immune activation markers to prognosticate clinical development of acquired immunodeficiency syn drome (AIDS) or AIDS-related complex (ARC) [2] has prompted us to examine the interrelationships be tween both cellular and serological markers of im mune activation in a population of IVDA who do not have AIDS or ARC. We have previously reported that the expression of DR on peripheral blood T lympho cytes is significantly higher in HIV antibody positive than in HIV antibody negative IVDA and that this difference of activated T cells is more significant than the difference in the helper cell concentrations in the two groups [3]. More recently, we reported the rela tionships between circulating soluble CD8 antigen concentrations and various immunophénotypes in this same population of IVDA [4,5].…”