HIV-SPECIFIC LYMPHOPROLIFERATIVE RESPONSES IN ASYMPTOMATIC HIV-INFECTED INDIVIDUALS

In vitro lymphoproliferative responses to HIV-1 recombinant antigens ( gp160, p24, and Rev protein) were studied in 83 patients with asymptom atic HIV-1 infection (CDC groups II and III) and circulating CD4 lymph ocyte numbers > 400/mm(3). Significant response to at least one of the three antigens was detected in 52.4% of the subjects, but the respons es were weak, and concordance of the response to the three antigens wa s rare, the frequency of individuals responding to each antigen not ex ceeding 22.4%. Increasing frequencies of response were observed when r ecall antigens (tetanus toroid and Candida albicans glycomannoprotein) (65.5%) and anti-CD3 MoAb (76.6%) were used as stimuli. Although a si gnificant association between lymphocyte response to p24, but not gp16 0, and steadiness of CD4 lymphocyte numbers before the assay was obser ved, no predictive value for lack of CD4 cell decrease was confirmed f or either antigen, and fluctuation of the responses to HIV antigens wa s seen during subsequent follow up. The panel of T cell assays used co uld be regarded as appropriate for monitoring both HIV-specific respon ses and T lymphocyte function during immunotherapy with soluble HIV an tigens.