Expansion of large granular lymphocytes (natural killer cells) with limited antigen expression (CD2+, CD3-, CD4-, CD8-, CD16+, NKH-1-) in a human immunodeficiency virus-positive homosexual man.

Lymphoid neoplasms associated with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are mostly of B-cell type and rarely of T-cell origin. The authors report a case of a homosexual HIV antibody-positive, HTLV-1 antibody-negative man who developed T-lymphoproliferative disorder (TGLD) after he experienced a viral-like illness. The lymphoproliferative disorder was characterized by increased peripheral blood large granular lymphocytes (LGL) with azurophilic granules (natural killer [NK] cells) which had limited antigen expression: CD2+, CD3-, CD4-, CD8-, CD16+, NKH-1-. The LGL failed to express T-cell or T-cell-related antigens, with the exception of CD2. No functional or gene rearrangement studies were performed on the patient's lymphocytes. However, the results of immunophenotyping, including CD25, W26, and HLA-DR, were suggestive of an inactive state, and the negative finding for CD3 antigen was consistent with unarranged gene T-cell receptors. This is the first reported case of TGLD in an HIV antibody-positive patient.

Lymphocyte emperipolesis into autologous monocytes in leukocyte cultures exposed to mitogenic lectins.

Lymphocyte-monocyte synergistic interaction in cooperative response to mitogens and antigens is well established. This paper describes a less known--antagonistic (effector-target)--lymphocyte-monocyte interaction that came into existence in a leukocyte culture after the commencement of cellular response to concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin and Wistaria floribunda mitogen. An invasion of lymphocytes into monocytes and monocyte polykaryons has been found 24-48 h after exposure to mitogens. The invasion is not followed by lysosome fusion with lymphocyte-bearing vacuoles, but is associated with a sequential destruction of the vacuole wall, and eventual disintegration of some affected cells. The expression of pan-T-cell surface antigens, staining patterns for nonspecific esterase and acid phosphatase as well as ultrastructural features show that the lymphocytes entering into and those located within monocytes and polykaryons represent activated T-cells. The presence of developed Golgi complexes associated with coated and smooth vesicles, and lysosomal bodies with microvesicles, tubular arrays or dense cores suggest that these T-cells belong to subpopulations which possess cytolytic activities. The lymphocyte invasion is considered cytolytic emperipolesis directed towards some autologous cells of the mononuclear phagocyte series. Its extent depends upon the mitogen concentration, and density of cell population in the culture. It also shows individual variability. The relationship of cytolytic emperipolesis to phagocytosis, and its possible significance as a mechanism of cell-mediated elimination of undesirable cells is discussed.