Effect of mitogens on the cell cycle progression and the quantification of T-lymphocyte surface markers in acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

The cell cycle progression and viability of stimulated and intact lymphocytes from 20 subjects with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) was determined by flow cytometry. As compared to controls, 62% less AIDS lymphocytes, cultured for 72 hr in the presence of lectins (Con-A, PHA, PWM), had entered the proliferative phases of the cell cycle, while the respective value for periodic-acid (H5IO6)-stimulated cells was 34%. The helper-suppressor ratios and natural kill cell percentages of the unstimulated and PHA-activated AIDS lymphocytes increased approximately 3-fold after 72 hr in culture. The natural killer (NK) cell fraction of the PHA-stimulated and unstimulated AIDS cultures comprised approximately 20% as compared to 10% in controls. However, no changes in the percentages of T-lymphocytes were detected in the AIDS cell cultures. Throughout the culture period, viability of the unstimulated AIDS lymphocytes exceeded 90%, whereas in stimulated cultures it fluctuated within the 65-90% range. It is concluded that the liability of AIDS lymphocytes to mitogens is probably a direct consequence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.