Prospective study of cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses to influenza and antibodies to human T lymphotropic virus-III in homosexual men. Selective loss of an influenza-specific, human leukocyte antigen-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte response in human T lymphotropic virus-III positive individuals with symptoms of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Abstract

Peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) from 18 homosexual men who did not have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and from 9 heterosexual men were repetitively tested for their ability to generate HLA self-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses to influenza virus (flu-self) over a 2-yr period. The sera of the same donors were tested for antibodies to human T lymphotropic virus-III (HTLV-III). Six of the homosexual and none of the heterosexual donors consistently generated weak cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses to flu-self. Seven of the homosexual and none of the heterosexual donors were seropositive for antibodies to HTLV-III. No obvious correlation was detected between weak flu-self cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses and antibodies to HTLV-III. However, one homosexual donor generated no detectable cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity to flu-self, although he was a strong responder to HLA-alloantigens. This donor had an OKT4:OKT8 ratio of 0.4 and was seropositive for HTLV-III antigens; HTLV-III virus was identified in his PBL; and he developed AIDS during the course of this study. A second donor with lymphadenopathy and who was seropositive for HTLV-III antigens exhibited marginal cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity to flu-self which he subsequently lost. PBL from two patients, one with Kaposi's sarcoma and one with generalized lymphadenopathy, were also tested for cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses to flu-self and to alloantigens. Both donors failed to generate cytotoxic T lymphocyte to flu-self, but generated strong cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses to alloantigens. The selective loss of an HLA-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte response without loss of HLA alloantigenic cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity may be an important functional immunologic characteristic in the development of AIDS.

• Authors: G M Shearer, S Z Salahuddin, P D Markham, L J Joseph, S M Payne, P Kriebel, D C Bernstein, W E Biddison, M G Sarngadharan, R C Gallo
• Journal: The Journal of clinical investigation (J Clin Invest) Vol. 76 Issue 4 Pg. 1699-704 (Oct 1985) ISSN: 0021-9738 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2997287 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Viral
• HLA Antigens
• Isoantigens

Topics

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (immunology, microbiology)
• Antibodies, Viral (immunology)
• Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic
• Deltaretrovirus (immunology, isolation & purification)
• Female
• HLA Antigens (immunology)
• Homosexuality
• Humans
• Influenza A virus (immunology)
• Isoantigens (immunology)
• Lymphatic Diseases (immunology)
• Lymphocytes (classification)
• Male
• Prospective Studies
• T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic (immunology)