Association between HIV-specific T helper responses and CTL activities in pediatric AIDS.

Abstract

We examined the relationship between the profile of HIV-specific T helper (Th) cell responses, cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity, HIV viral load, and CD4(+) T cell counts during longitudinal studies in children with perinatal HIV infection. Patients with AIDS demonstrated undetectable or low levels of HIV-specific Th and CTL activities, and exhibited almost exclusively Th0 type of responses with low IFN-gamma and IL-4 production. The levels of IL-2 expression in the envelope (env) peptide-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells were increased in children with a slowly progressive disease, concomitant with higher numbers of CD45RO(+) memory T cells and increased proportions of Th1 clones. In these patients, high levels of env peptide-specific IL-2 expression correlated with increases in HIV-specific CTL responses, whereas a delay in the generation of HIV-specific CTL activity was associated with lower IL-2 production and elevated Th2 responses. Patients with slow disease progression produced higher levels of beta-chemokines than those detected in children with AIDS. These results suggest that an impaired development of HIV-specific cellular responses and inhibition of T cell differentiation during infancy are associated with fast disease progression. They also point to a protective role of noncytotoxic antiviral activity that might complement HIV-specific CTL responses in children with a slowly progressive disease.

• Authors: T J Wasik, A Wierzbicki, V E Whiteman, G Trinchieri, H W Lischner, D Kozbor
• Journal: European journal of immunology (Eur J Immunol) Vol. 30 Issue 1 Pg. 117-27 (Jan 2000) ISSN: 0014-2980 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 10602033 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Chemokines, CC
• Cytokines
• Gene Products, env
• Interleukin-2

Topics

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (immunology)
• Chemokines, CC (biosynthesis)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Cytokines (biosynthesis)
• Gene Products, env (immunology)
• HIV (immunology)
• Humans
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical
• Interleukin-2 (biosynthesis)
• Longitudinal Studies
• T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic (immunology)
• T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer (immunology)