DEFECTIVE CELLULAR CONTROL OF ACTIVATED B LYMPHOCYTES IN THE ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS): ROLE OF LYMPHOTROPIC VIRUSES. AIDS is characterized by abnormalities in cellular immunity, especially a decrease in CD4+ T lymphocytes, leading to opportunistic infections and/or the development of neoplasms. Paradoxically, elevated serum IgG/A and spontaneous immunoglobulin- (Ig) secretion is seen in AIDS. The probable source of this B cell activation is exposure to lymphotropic viruses, such as Epstein- Barr virus (EBV), or the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the primary infectious agent in AIDS. When not effectively controlled, the growth of virus-activated human B cells can lead to the development of B cells lymphomas, as seen in immune- suppressed patients, including those with AIDS.
The specific aims of this project are to define the functional impairment in T cell- mediated regulation responsible for the excessive B cell activity seen in patients with AIDS, and, to deliniate the immunological mechanisms involved in the polyclonal activation of human B cells by HIV, including the role of T cells in regulating the growth of HIV-activated B lymphocytes.
These aims will be accomplished using the inhibition the virus-induced B cell activation, measured by Ig secretion or proliferation, as a marker for effective T cell suppression. The production of lymphokines involved in this process, such as interferon-gamma and -alpha, and interleukin-2 will also be examined. T cell subpopulations, isolated from patients with AIDS or HIV-infected healthy donors, will be tested. The role of different B and T cell subpopulations in the polyclonal B cell activation induced by HIV will also be examined. The long term goal is to define the defects in the regulation of in vivo virus-activated B cells in immune deficient individuals that allow chronically stimulated B cells to escape growth control at times form B cell lymphomas. Knowledge of these regulatory mechanisms will be of great valuable for the development of sound medical intervention in human immune deficiencies.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
First Independent Research Support & Transition (FIRST) Awards (R29)
Project #
5R29AI024691-02
Application #
3454070
Study Section
Immunobiology Study Section (IMB)
Project Start
1987-04-01
Project End
1992-03-31
Budget Start
1988-04-01
Budget End
1989-03-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1988
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Los Angeles
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
119132785
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90095
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