CD8 + CD11 + Suppressor Cells in HIV-Infected Asymptomatic Patients: Effect on HIV-Specific Cytotoxicity

Abstract

CD3⁺CD8⁺CD11⁺ cells were present in the peripheral blood of patients infected with asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in higher percentage (10–20%) than in normal individuals (3–5%) in this study. These cells, through the release of soluble factors, significantly suppressed the effector phase of anti-HIV cytotoxic activities, both human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-class I or class II restricted, and nonrestricted. The effectors were CD8CD11⁻, CD4⁺ T cells, and CD16⁺ cells for HLA-class I, class II restricted, and nonrestricted cytotoxicities, respectively. The soluble factors also inhibited natural killer cell activity. Thus, this effect was neither HLA-restricted nor antigen-specific. These CD3⁺CD8⁺CD11⁺ cells may be an important immunopathogenic factor in HIV disease.