In vitro transendothelial migration of blood T lymphocytes from HIV-infected individuals

Abstract

Objective: We hypothesized that differential extravasation of circulating CD4+ or CD8+ T lymphocytes contributes to HIV-associated CD8+ lymphocytic alveolitis. Differences in T-cell transendothelial migration may be intrinsic or emerge at sites where vascular endothelium is activated by overexpression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ. Design: We used an in vitro model of lymphocyte extravasation to assess transendothelial migration of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from HIV-positive individuals. We assayed bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from HIV-positive and normal individuals to determine if increased levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ were present in the lungs of HIV-infected individuals. Methods: Transendothelial migration was assessed by determining the number and flow cytometric phenotype of PBMC adherent to or migrating across unstimulated or TNF-α and IFN-γ-activated endothelial cell monolayers. We measured BAL fluid cytokine concentrations using standard antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for TNF-α and IFN-γ. Results: T cells migrating across unactivated endothelial cells were significantly enriched for CD4+ T cells. Cytokine activation of endothelial cells allowed significantly greater transendothelial migration of CD8+ T cells compared to unactivated endothelial cells. TNF-α was increased in BAL fluid from HIV-positive individuals relative to controls. Conclusions: These data suggest that, in HIV-positive individuals, CD4+ T cells are migration competent and blood CD8+ T cells do not have enhanced migration competence relative to CD4+ T cells. CD8+ T cell extravasation is aided by TNF-α and IFN-γ-induced endothelial cells activation.

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AIDS

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