REDUCED CD21(CR2) AND CD54 (ICAM-1) EXPRESSION IN MT2 CELLS WITH HIV-1 OR HIV-2 STRAINS

Alterations in the expression of cell-surface receptors have been repo rted in HIV-infected cells for CD4, CD25 (IL-2 receptor), CD2, CD3 and CD8 and CD26. In the present study we provide evidence that CD21 is d own-regulated in the human T-lymphoblastoid cell line MT2 after infect ion with HIV-1 and -2 isolates. The same effect was observed with ICAM -1 (CD54). CD21 expression was monitored by means of fluorescence inte nsity, its functional ability to bind to C3d and by quantitative measu rement of CD21-antigen in supernatants and cell lysates using an immun oassay. In addition, the decrease of CD21 and ICAM-1-specific mRNA sug gests a mechanism at a transcriptional level. Our data suggest that HI V might have a direct influence on the receptor expression.