Studies of CD8+ Lymphocytes of AIDS Virus-Infected Individuals

The roles and characteristics of CD8+ lymphocytes of naturally HlV-l-infected humans and SIVmac-infected rhesus monkeys were investigated. In this series of experiments, we showed that CD8+ lymphocytes, with the phenotype of CTL, inhibit virus replication in autologous CD4+ cells in vitro. The virus inhibitory cell population requires time for generation. The cells do not express NK- associated antigens, and are thought to be class I MHC-restricted. Their surface phenotype is CD29 rather than CD45R. Their virus inhibitory function requires cell-to-cell contact via the CD11a molecule and some of the epitopes of the CD8 molecule. Interestingly, in the course of our study, we revealed that CD8+CD4? lymphocyte lines established from AIDS virus-infected individuals not only showed CTL activity, but also could harbor AIDS virus