CHANGES IN CYTOKINE SECRETION PATTERNS OF CD4(-CELL CLONES IN HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS INFECTION() T)

In addition to the loss of CD4(+) T cells in later stages of human imm unodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, functional defects of Th cells ca n already be observed in early infection, Decreased interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-gamma production by CD4(+) T cells and diminishe d delayed type hypersensitivity reactions are indicative for impaired Th1 responses. We studied the cytokine secretion patterns of T-cell cl ones (TCC) generated by mitogenic stimulation of CD4(+) memory T cells . Compared with ICC from HIV-negative controls, ICC isolated from HIV- infected individuals consistently showed increased IL-4 production, of ten paralleled by increased IL-5 and decreased IFN-gamma production, T his resulted in a decreased percentage of Th1 clones with an increase in Th0 clones, To rule out the influence of interindividual difference s, we studied two individuals from whom cells were available before an d after infection with HIV, Indeed, an increase in Th2 cytokine secret ion was observed after HIV-infection. Loss of Th1 and enhanced Th2 res ponses might further curtail cellular responses resulting in deficienc y of cellular immunity in HIV infection. (C) 1994 by The American Soci ety of Hematology.