Evidence for an activated subpopulation of T8-bearing cells in male homosexuals with lymphadenopathy.

Data are presented that male homosexuals with chronic lymphadenopathy and reduced numbers of T4-antigen-bearing cells have an increased incidence of activated T8-antigen-bearing cells. Evidence suggesting an increase in activated T cells in these subjects includes an increase in incidence of T10-antigen-bearing cells, an increase in Ia-bearing T cells and an increase in the intensity of staining of a fraction of the T8-antigen-bearing cells with fluorescein-labeled OKT8 monoclonal antibody. It was shown by double staining that most of the Ia-bearing T cells also bore the T8 marker. The heterogeneity of the Ia, assayed by reactivity with several monoclonal anti-Ia antibodies which detect different epitopes on the Ia molecule, was comparable in lymphadenopathy subjects and controls.