Analysis of the adult thymus in reconstitution of T lymphocytes in HIV- 1 infection

Barton F. Haynes, Laura P. Hale, Kent J. Weinhold, Dhavalkumar D. Patel, Hua Xin Liao, Peter B. Bressler, Dawn M. Jones, James F. Demarest, Kristin Gebhard-Mitchell, Ashley T Haase, John A. Bartlett

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

149 Scopus citations

Abstract

A key question in understanding the status of the immune system in HIV- 1 infection is whether the adult thymus contributes to reconstitution of peripheral T lymphocytes. We analyzed the thymus in adult patients who died of HIV-1 infection. In addition, we studied the clinical course of HIV-1 infection in three patients thymectomized for myasthenia gravis and determined the effect of antiretroviral therapy on CD4+ T cells. We found that five of seven patients had thymus tissue at autopsy and that all thymuses identified had inflammatory infiltrates surrounding lymphodepleted thymic epithelium. Two of seven patients also had areas of thymopoiesis; one of these patients had peripheral blood CD4+ T-cell levels of <50/mm3 for 51 months prior to death. Of three thymectomized patients, one rapidly progressed to AIDS, one progressed to AIDS over seven years (normal progressor), whereas the third remains asymptomatic at least seven years after seroconversion. Both latter patients had rises in peripheral blood CD4+ T cells after antiretroviral therapy. Most patients who died of complications of HIV-1 infection did not have functional thymus tissue, and when present, thymopoiesis did not prevent prolonged lymphopenia. Thymectomy before HIV-1 infection did not preclude either peripheral CD4+ T-cell rises or clinical responses after antiretroviral therapy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)453-460
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation
Volume103
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1999

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