T-CELL ANTIGEN RECEPTOR-V-BETA SUBSETS ARE NOT PREFERENTIALLY DELETED IN AIDS

Objective: Evidence for an HIV-1-associated superantigen (SAg) has been presented. Here we test whether targeted T cells are preferentially depleted in AIDS. Design: The T cell antigen receptor (TCR) Vbeta repertoire was compared in 44 HIV+ hemophiliac patients and in 27 controls. Methods: Eleven TCR V gene-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAb), representing approximately one-third of the Vbeta repertoire were used to measure T-cell numbers expressing Vbeta and Valpha genes in both the CD4 and the CD8 subsets by two-color immunofluorescence. Results: The percentage of T cells expressing these V genes could be accurately quantitated in both the CD4 and the CD8 T-cell populations and at various clinical stages of disease progression. No preferential deletion of any particular V gene subsets was detected. Conclusion: CD4 T-cell depletion in AIDS is not Vbeta-selective.