Enzymatic imbalance in peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from individuals with anti-HIV antibodies

Abstract

Plasma membrane-bound 5'-nucleotidase (5'-NT), gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT) and soluble deoxynucleotidyltransferase (TdT) were studied in peripheral blood cells (PBMN) of 35 individuals, 26 male and 9 female, with circulating anti-HIV antibodies. Twenty-six were drug abusers, 2 were drug abusers and homosexuals and 4 were homosexuals. Three did not fall into any risk group. The surface immunologic phenotype of cells stained with the fluorescent monoclonal antibodies Leu 5, Leu 3, Leu 2, Leu 12, Leu M3, Leu M1, anti-CALLA and anti-HLA-DR was delineated by flow cytometry. While the gamma-GT activity did not change, the lymphocyte 5'-NT activity was significantly less than normal in anti-HIV positive individuals and in anti-HIV negative drug abusers. TdT activity was detectable in 14 anti-HIV positive patients (40%), who did not have clinical AIDS. Of 8 patients with AIDS, 3 had a low level of TdT activity but 5 had cells completely devoid of TdT and 5'-NT activity. 5'-nucleotidase activity and the frequency of Leu 2 suppressor antigen bearing cells were the only independent variables that correlated with AIDS incidence.