T-cell colony formation in homosexual men with anti-human immunodeficiency virus.

In vitro differentiation and proliferation of precursor T-cells was examined in four homosexual men positive for anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), one of whom had acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Peripheral mononuclear cells from the men were cultured with phytohemagglutinin-P in semi-solid culture media containing methylcellulose for 7 days. Colony formation was significantly reduced in all subjects, even in the presence of IL-2. Moreover, numerous colony component cells lacked T-cell specific surface markers. These results suggest that the impaired T-cell differentiation and proliferation occurs at the precursor T-cell level in HIV infection.