LACK OF SELECTIVE V-BETA DELETION IN CD4-LYMPHOCYTES AND FUNCTIONAL INTEGRITY OF T-CELL REPERTOIRE DURING ACUTE HIV SYNDROME( OR CD8+ T)

Objective: To study the V beta T-cell repertoire in peripheral blood l ymphocytes (PBL) during acute HIV syndrome by using several anti-V bet a monoclonal antibodies (MAb) and to analyse its functionality by stim ulating PBL with superantigens (SAg) such as Staphylococcus aureus ent erotoxins. Methods: Cytofluorimetric analysis of V beta T-cell-recepto r expression was performed on PBL from eight patients with symptomatic , acute HIV-1 primary infection, showing a dramatic decrease of CD4+ P BL accompanied by a marked increase in activated/memory CD8+ T cells, and on 12 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. PBL were then isolate d, stimulated with different SAg, anti-CD3 MAb or phytohaemagglutinin and cultured for 3 days. PBL capability to progress through cell cycle was studied by the classic cytofluorimetric method of bromodeoxyuridi ne incorporation and DNA staining with propidium iodide. Results: Desp ite the presence of a few expansions of some V beta families among CD8 + T lymphocytes, no gross alterations in T-cell repertoire were presen t in patients with acute HIV syndrome. Its functionality was maintaine d overall, as PBL responsiveness to SAg was well preserved. Interestin gly, all CD8+ T cells, although bearing different V beta T-cell recept ors, expressed marked signs of activation, i.e., CD45R0, CD38 and majo r histocompatibility complex class II molecules, and also high amounts of CD11a and CD18. Conclusions: Our data suggest, at least in the ear ly phases and in the acute form of the infection, that HIV is not like ly to act as a SAg. However, further studies are needed to analyse oth er sites, such as lymph nodes, where HIV could exert other, significan t effects, and to study the expression of other V beta families than t hose investigated here.