Class 11 (DR) Antigen Expression on CD8+ Lymphocyte Subsets in Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

In a selected group of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients we confinn the expansion of a COS+ T-Iymphocyte subset, Le. , the CD8+/Leu7+ cells, which account for 300/0 ofthe Iymphocytes, compared to 3% in the control donors. In addition, a e08+ T-Iymphocyte suhset that coexpresses dass 11 (DR) antigens, Le., COS·,., DR+ cells, is also increased from 1.5% in controls to 27% in the HIV-infected patients. Using three<olor immunoftuorescence and flow cytometry we can demonstrate that the CD8+/Leu7+ and the CD8+/class 11+ cells are not distinct hut overlapping suhsets. In the HIV-infected patients 42% ofthe CD8+/Leu7 + celJs were strongly positive for class TI and these CD8+lLeu7+/ciass 11+ ceUs accounted for l3%of aillymphocytes. These findings indicate that the expanded CD8+ lLeu?+ cells are activated and hence might be actively involved in immune defense in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).