[Coreceptors CCR5 and CXCR4 expressions on peripheral blood T lymphocytes in HIV/AIDS patients].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the coreceptors CCR5 and CXCR4 expressions on the peripheral blood T lymphocytes in HIV/AIDS patients, with an analysis of their clinical value.

METHODS

Thirty HIV/AIDS patients and 16 normal controls were selected and flow-cytometry was used to detect the coreceptors CCR5 and CXCR4 expressions in whole blood samples taken from the patients and controls. An analysis was made of the correlation of the coreceptor expression with CD4 T cell counts and the activation of CD4+/ CD8+ T cells (HLA-DR+/CD38+).

RESULTS

The CCR5 expression on CD8+ lymphocytes and the CXCR4 expression on the CD4+/ CD8+ T lymphocytes of the HIV/AIDS group were higher than those of the normal controls (P < 0.01). The CCR5 and CXCR4 expressions on the CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocytes of the HIV/AIDS patients was significantly correlated with the activation of CD4+/CD8+ T cells (HLA-DR+/CD38+) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The expressions of CCR5 and CXCR4 are significantly correlated with the immune system reaction to HIV and the disease progression in HIV infected patients.