Idiopathic CD4+ T lymphocytopenia is associated with increases in immature/transitional B cells and serum levels of IL-7.

Abstract

Idiopathic CD4+ T lymphocytopenia (ICL) is a rare heterogeneous disorder defined by CD4+ T-cell counts below 300 cells/muL in the absence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or other known immune deficiency disorders. Here, we report the expansion of immature/transitional B cells in patients with ICL, which is associated with elevated serum levels of IL-7. Both the percentage of immature/transitional B cells and levels of IL-7 were inversely correlated with levels of CD4+ T-cell counts and directly correlated to each other. Further analyses of B cells indicated that, in contrast to the activating effects of HIV disease on mature B cells, the expansion of immature/transitional B cells in patients with ICL occurred at the expense of memory B cells. These findings extend previous reports on primary immunodeficiencies as well as HIV disease by suggesting that CD4+ T-cell lymphopenia has an impact on human B-cell development either directly or indirectly via the associated elevation of IL-7 levels.

• Authors: Angela Malaspina, Susan Moir, Doreen G Chaitt, Catherine A Rehm, Shyam Kottilil, Judith Falloon, Anthony S Fauci
• Journal: Blood (Blood) Vol. 109 Issue 5 Pg. 2086-8 (Mar 01 2007) ISSN: 0006-4971 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17053062 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural)

Chemical References

• Interleukin-7

Topics

• B-Lymphocytes (metabolism, pathology)
• Cell Differentiation
• Humans
• Interleukin-7 (blood)
• T-Lymphocytopenia, Idiopathic CD4-Positive (metabolism, pathology)