Work

Activation of CD8 + T lymphocytes through the T cell receptor turns on CD4 gene expression: Implications for HIV pathogenesis

Year: 1998

Type: article

Abstract: T cell activation through the T cell receptor is necessary to achieve a specific and effective immune response. We report here that stimulation of CD8+ T cells through the T cell receptor complex leads to de novo expression of the CD4 antigen on the cell surface that results in susceptibility of CD8+ T cells to HIV infection. In addition, activation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HIV-infected individuals results in the appearance of double-positive CD4+/CD8+ T cells, which become infected by endogenous HIV. HIV DNA sequences could be detected in uncultured and sorted mature CD3+CD8+ T cells from HIV+ individuals. These results suggest a new mechanism by which HIV could attack the immune system and may help to explain the CD8+ T cell defects in AIDS patients.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.95.6.3111

Authors: Louis Flamand, Richard W. Crowley, Paolo Lusso, Sandra Colombini-Hatch, David M. Margolis, Robert C. Gallo

Institutions: University of Maryland, Baltimore, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute

Language: English

Topic: HIV Research and Treatment

Subfield: Virology

Field: Immunology and Microbiology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Medical Research Council Canada, Medical Research Council