CIRCULATING IMMUNE-COMPLEXES FROM HIV-1(+) PATIENTS INDUCES APOPTOSISON NORMAL LYMPHOCYTES

Isolated immune complexes from sera of 49 out of 67 human immunodefici ency virus-l-positive (HIV-1(+)) patients (CIC-HIV+), composed of anti -HIV-HIV-Ag, could induce apoptosis on normal phytohaemagglutinin (PHA )-activated lymphocytes. DNA degradation was detected by propidium iod ide staining. This activity is directed against CD4(+) lymphocytes as demonstrated by double binding of CIC-HIV+ and anti-CD4 on apoptotic c ells. Expression of Fas antigen is prior to apoptotic phenomena. CIC-H IV+ apoptosis inducers belong mainly to asymptomatic HIV-infected pati ents, indicating that immune complexes from these patients can destroy CD4(+) lymphocytes.