Symphony of Life: Genetics, Immunology, Cancer & Aging I. Genetic and immunological evaluation of mice with histocompatible tumors, virus induced breast cancer and survivors of metastatic breast cancer, HIV infection, and old people

Abstract

Abstract Antigen altered idiotype induces immune suppression through the production of a "hole" in the antigenic/epitope specificity repertoire, the consequences of which can be a acquired immune deficiency SYNDROME called AIDS. There are measurable immunological consequences which include decreased CD4 cell numbers and low CD4/CD8 ratios and uncommon DISEASES like pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, virus induced cancers such as CMV mediated Kaposi's sarcoma or HPV mediated cancers (Kaposi's sarcoma, cervical cancer, tonsil cancer, etc.) and other DISEASES for which no viral etiology has been proven (breast cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, anal cancer, colorectal cancer, etc.). When there is the double whammy of immune deficiency AND virus infection, particularly one which preferentially infects and/or kills a distinct cell population (CD4+ lymphocytes in man, MTV induced mammary cancer in mice) the disease such as AIDS/HIV or metastatic breast cancer, are particularly severe. The measurable components of the immune system (CD4 counts, CD4/CD8 ratios, Tregs, CTLs, quantitative immunoglobulins, NK cell numbers and NK cell activity and cytokine levels are altered. We will present data including genetic (MHC class I, NK cell receptor ligands) and immunological (cell numbers in old mice or humans, metastatic breast cancer or HIV infected people, and those who are older than 90. Populations tested include centenarians Mexico City, mice surviving after a Sendai virus epidemic or injection of a histocompatible tumor, active homosexuals, and long term survivors of breast cancer or HIV infection. Data include MHC class I allele interaction with NKG2A receptors in Mexicans, survivors of breast cancer and long term non progressors with HIV infection.