IN-VITRO ENHANCEMENT OF T-CELL RECEPTOR-TARGETED LYSIS AFTER IL-2 TREATMENT OF PBL FROM HIV-SEROPOSITIVE INDIVIDUALS

Individuals with advanced HIV infection have a greater proportion of T -cells that are activated when compared to uninfected individuals. The se activated cells are not able to lyse specific targets. The reason f or this dysfunction is not well known, in this study we demonstrate th at there are CD8(+) T-cells from HIV-seropositive individuals that cal l be targeted to lyse targets with OKT3 (anti-CD3 antibody) but are un able to lyse targets with WT31 (anti-alpha beta antibody). Treatment o f peripheral blood lymphocytes with IL-2 results in all enhancement of WT31-targeted lysis in 9 of 13 individuals evaluated. These findings demonstrate a differential response, in vitro, of CD8(+) T-cells to IL -2 treatment. Future work evaluating clinical responses after IL-2 the rapy with recovery of targeted lysis in vitro could provide informatio n on screening of individuals for therapeutic intervention, (C) 1998 A cademic Press.