Loss of mucosal CD4 lymphocytes is an early feature of HIV infection

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
SUMMARY: T cell subsets in the gut mucosa are distinct populations and their imbalance in HIV has specific implications in infection. Alterations in T cell subsets in duodenal biopsies were investigated in 17 asymptomatic HIV patients, 24 AIDS patients and 10 controls with non-ulcer dyspepsia. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluoresccnce using MoAbs to CD3, CD4, CDS, CD68, CD45R A, CD45RO and gp 120 were performed on frozen sections. In the lamina propria. there was a significant depletion of CD4+ cells at all stages of HIV, but the density of CDS lamina propria cells was increased. Intraepithelial lymphocytes were decreased in AIDS patients. There was a significant correlation between cellular density and mucosal CD3+ lymphocytes, and between mucosal CD3+ and CDS+ lymphocytes. Although mucosal CD4, CD45RO+‘memory’ cells were decreased, CD8.CD45RO+‘memory’ cells were increased. Mucosal CD4+ lymphocyte depletion occurred early in HIV, and thus their role in mucosal protection against opportunistic infection should be revised. Mucosal CD8+ lymphocytes initially increased, but decreased when CD4 blood counts were depleted, perhaps contributing to loss of host protection against infection. Intraepithelial lymphocyte depletion may also contribute to opportunistic infection.