MIGRATION OF HUMAN CD4- IMPLICATIONS FOR COCAINE AND ALCOHOL ABUSERS(LYMPHOCYTES )

T lymphocytes migrate across body tissues and organs, and home to site s where infection agents and tumors harbor. Cortisol and other glucoco rticoids modulate the migration of helper T cells (CD4+), and particul arly of CD4+ cells that expresses the homing receptor LECAM-1. A large proportion of these cells express the naive CD4 phenotype (CD4+CD45RA +), which in part determines their transit through the lymphatic syste m and the lymph nodes. We discuss implications for cocaine and alcohol abusers, who are at high risk for HIV infection and AIDS.