ISSN:
1573-2592
Keywords:
CD5
;
B lymphocytes
;
AIDS
;
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
;
anti-HIV antibody
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract B cell dysregulation is a hallmark of human immunodeficiency virus infection. Since B lymphocytes comprise two distinct subpopulations, CD5+ and CD5− cells, we addressed their individual phenotypic and functional behavior. Seropositive patients with both limited and advanced disease progression had an increased percentage of peripheral blood CD5+ B cells, compared to seronegative controls (20.1±2.1 and 22.7±5.7, respectively, vs 17.0±3.4 in controls); however, due to the lymphopenia and reduced number of circulating B cells in infected individuals, the absolute number of CD19+ CD5+ lymphocytes was actually reduced. Although HIV-specific antibodies were synthesized spontaneouslyin vitro only by CD5− B cells, a 10-fold lower degree of spontaneous, non-HIV-specific activation was also displayed by unstimulated CD5+ B cells. These findings indicate that B cell dysregulation during HIV infection involves both the CD5− and the CD5+ B cell compartments; moreover, in view of the putative role of CD5+ B cells in autoimmune phenomena and IL-10 production, these data reinforce the possibility that B cell dysfunction might be causally involved in AIDS pathogenesis.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00920013
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