ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to assess whether the density of CD38 antigen expression on CD8+ T cells can be used as a marker of activation of the immune system in Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1)-positive patients treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). T cell subsets, expression of CD38 antigen on CD8+T cells, HIV-1 viral load and stage of the disease were analyzed at baseline and after 12 months of HAART in 24 HIV-1-infected patients. Our data showed that the use of HAART is effective in reducing plasma viral load and in achieving a stable CD4+ count and percentage of CD8+/CD38+ cells. The percentages of CD8/CD38+ cells in HIV-1-infected patients at baseline and after 12 months of HAART were significantly higher than those of controls. Analysis of the density of CD38 expression revealed that it was due to CD8+/CD38+ subsets with low and medium density of antigen expression. Absolute number of CD4+ T cells correlated negatively with the percentage of CD8+/CD38+ cells at baseline of the study. Persistent up-regulation of the CD38 expression on CD8+ T cells and its correlation with the decreased CD4+ count despite the reduction of plasma viral load may reflect residual replication of HIV-1 in reservoirs. Thus, this immunological parameter can serve as a biological marker of HIV-1 infection and might have utility in clinical management of HIV-1-infected persons.
Subject(s)
ADP-ribosyl Cyclase/biosynthesis , Antigens, CD/biosynthesis , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , HIV Infections/immunology , Lymphocyte Activation , ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 , Adult , Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active , Biomarkers/analysis , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , HIV Infections/drug therapy , HIV Infections/virology , HIV-1 , Humans , Membrane Glycoproteins , Middle Aged , Viral LoadSubject(s)
Opportunistic Infections/diagnostic imaging , Pentamidine/administration & dosage , Pneumonia, Pneumocystis/diagnostic imaging , Administration, Inhalation , HIV Infections/complications , HIV Infections/diagnostic imaging , HIV Infections/drug therapy , HIV-1 , Humans , Lung/diagnostic imaging , Lung/drug effects , Opportunistic Infections/complications , Opportunistic Infections/drug therapy , Pneumonia, Pneumocystis/complications , Pneumonia, Pneumocystis/drug therapy , RadiographyABSTRACT
A cold-resistant (cr) variant of mouse L fibroblasts called LC3, isolated by repeated cooling of the parent population for several weeks at 4 degrees C, differed from the wild-type cells in morphology and function. Microcinematographic records demonstrate that their motility is markedly reduced when compared with that of the L cells. They enter mitosis at 30 degrees C, at 37 degrees C and at 39 degrees C, but they finish cytodieresis only at 30 degrees C. At the higher temperatures, they reach anaphase, but then the daughter cells fuse and form polykaryons. At 39 degrees C, bizarre forms with large undulating membranes predominate in the damaged population. The cr cells may be used as a model for the study of temperature adaptations on cellular level, as well as for the analysis of the relations between membrane properties, cold resistance and cell cycle control.
