Downregulation of Bcl-2, but not of Bax or Bcl-x, is associated with T lymphocyte apoptosis in HIV infection and restored by antiretroviral therapy or by interleukin 2.

The role of Bcl-2, Bax, and Bcl-x in the apoptosis of T lymphocytes in HIV-infected individuals was investigated. A strong correlation between Bcl-2 downregulation and spontaneous apoptosis has been reported by various groups in short-term cultures of CD8+ but not of CD4+ T lymphocytes. We describe a similar correlation in CD4+ T cells and provide an explanation why Bcl-2 downregulation in these cells has not been detected so far. In apoptotic cells not only Bcl-2, but also the CD4 surface receptors, are downregulated, preventing the detection of these cells in flow cytometric analysis. In contrast to Bcl-2, no correlation is detectable between Bax or Bcl-x expression and apoptosis. T lymphocytes of HIV-infected, but not of control, individuals display ex vivo a heterogeneous Bcl-2 expression pattern with a low and a high Bcl-2-expressing lymphocyte fraction. The proportion of low Bcl-2-expressing T cells correlates with a higher viral load in these individuals. Antiretroviral therapy significantly reduces the proportion of low Bcl-2-expressing lymphocytes, which is associated with a decrease in apoptosis. Bcl-2 downregulation and spontaneous apoptosis of T lymphocytes from HIV-infected individuals can be partially prevented by the exogeneous addition of IL-2, but not of IL-12, IL-4, or antibodies that prevent the CD95/CD95 ligand pathway of apoptosis.