HIV INDUCES DELETION OF T-CELL RECEPTOR VARIABLE GENE PRODUCT-SPECIFIC T-CELLS

Using a flow cytometric method, CD4+, CD8+, alphabeta TCR+ and TCR var iable region gene product (TVRGP)-specific T cells were analysed in he althy heterosexual males (HHeM), HIV-seronegative homosexual males (SN HM), asymptomatic seropositive homosexual males (ASPH) and homosexual males with AIDS who were either well (AIDS-A), or unwell in hospital ( AIDS-B). Total CD4+ and CD8+ T cell numbers were similar in HHeM and S NHM. CD4+ T cells were significantly reduced in ASPH relative to both HHeM and SNHM and in AIDS-A and AIDS-B relative to SNHM. TVRGP-specifi c T cells expressed as a percentage of TCR alphabeta+ cells showed no significant difference in HHeM, SNHM and AIDS-B. The proportion of alp habeta+ cells expressing the Vbeta5.1, Vbeta12 and Valpha2 gene produc t (GP) was, however, significantly reduced in ASPH and AIDS-B relative to HHeM, SNHM and AIDS-A. Possible causes of TVRGP-specific T cell de letion are discussed.