Dichotomy of two CD8 lymphocyte subsets in HIV infection. Depletion of CD8 CD3 and expansion of CD8 CD3 subsets: consequence on the CD4/CD8 ratio

In order to highlight the underlying mechanism(s) of the CD8 lymphocyte expansion in the HIV infection, two distinct CD8 subsets were analysed: T CD8 CD3 with MHC‐restricted activity, and non‐T CD8 CD3, which performs natural killer (NK) activity. It consists of a cross‐sectional study including 168 HIV‐infected patients (74 CDC stage II, 48 CDC stage III and 46 CDC stage IV) compared among them and to 60 healthy individuals. We observed an expansion of CD8CD3 cells which masks a depletion of CD8CD3. The comparative study showed that the expansion of the CD8CD3 is relatively higher than that of total CD8 lymphocytes and that the depletion of the CD8 CD3 subset is severe, begins early and remains constant through the HIV progression. The comparison of CD4/CD8 and CD4/CD8 CD3 ratios showed that the latter could possibly be a better indicator in the HIV infection. The mechanism of inverted CD4/CD8 ratio in healthy individuals was also clarified. The CD8CD3, CD8CD3 and CD4/CD8CD3 parameters would be more specific markers than total CD8 and CD4/CD8 ratio especially in therapy trials. Copyright © 1991, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved