Abstract
A CD8+ lymphocytic alveolitis occurs in up to 60% of asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals. Early in HIV infection, lymphocytes consist predominantly of cytotoxic T lymphocytes directed against HIV-infected targets. As HIV disease progresses, they are replaced by CD8+CD57+ suppressor cells. Virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes secrete interferon-γ (IFN-γ), an important cytokine in upregulating immune responses, primarily through macrophage activation. We examined the ability of lung and blood lymphocytes from HIV-positive patients at various stages of HIV infection to secrete IFN-γ spontaneously and in response to phytohemagglutinin A. IFN-γ production and secretion were determined with ELISA, Western blot, immunoprecipitation, and Northern blot techniques. Lung lymphocytes from HIV-infected individuals secreted large amounts of IFN-γ. However, this ability was lost in patients with late-stage disease. Correlation between blood and lung lymphocyte IFN-γ secretion was poor, suggesting regional differences in lymphocyte function. These data suggest that lung levels of IFN-γ are high until late in HIV disease. These findings support the concept of administering exogenous IFN-γ to patients with late- stage HIV disease and opportunistic infections.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | L256-L262 |
Journal | American Journal of Physiology - Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology |
Volume | 276 |
Issue number | 2 20-2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 1999 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Cytotoxic T lymphocytes
- Human immunodeficiency virus
- Lymphocytic alveolitis
- Macrophage activation
- Suppressor cells
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physiology
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
- Physiology (medical)
- Cell Biology