HIV-related neuropsychological impairment and immunodeficiency. CD8+ lymphocytes and neopterin are related to HIV-encephalopathy

The relationship between neuropsychological test performance and immunological parameters was studied in 52 HIV-positive patients within different stages of the infection. All subjects were neuropsychologically tested, the CD4 + and CD8 4- lymphocyte count were measured in peripheral blood, and the concentration of neopterin and HIV-p24 antigen were measured in serum. Ten patients with AIDS were defined as neuropsychologically impaired. The CD8 + cell count was the only immunological parameter that could significantly discriminate between AIDS patients with and without neuropsychological impairment. For the total group, significant positive correlations were found between neuropsychological test results and the number of CD8 + and CD4 + lymphocytes, and significant negative correlations were observed between serum concentration of neopterin and neurocognitive function. Regression analyses showed that up to 51% of the variance in test performance could be explained by CD8 + cells and neopterin concentration. The possible role of CD8 + lymphocytes and neopterin in the pathogenesis of HIV-related CNS-dysfunction is discussed.     

慢性心理应激对大鼠淋巴细胞热休克蛋白70表达和凋亡的影响

为了探讨慢性心理应激对热休克蛋白70（Hsp70）、淋巴细胞的凋亡及其两者之间关系的影响,将实验SD大鼠分为对照组、中等强度心理应激组和高强度心理应激组。分别对三组大鼠给予相应的干预3周,采用流式细胞仪定量检测各组大鼠外周血淋巴细胞Hsp70的表达水平和凋亡量。结果发现,与对照组比较,中等和高强度心理应激组淋巴细胞内Hsp70表达水平显著增加;中等强度心理应激组凋亡量增加但没有出现统计学意义,高强度心理应激组淋巴细胞凋亡显著增加;中等强度心理应激组的淋巴细胞Hsp70表达与凋亡量变化成显著正相关,高强度心理应激组两者变化成不显著正相关。研究结果提示心理应激能诱发淋巴细胞Hsp70表达和凋亡升高,且随心理应激强度增加,Hsp70表达升高趋势减缓、凋亡量增加加剧,最终造成机体免疫损伤加深     

Return of juvenile rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) to the natal social group following an 18 week separation

Return of 6 juvenile rhesus monkeys to their natal social group following an absence of 18 weeks resulted in changes in cortisol levels and absolute numbers of lymphocyte subsets 24 hours later which were related to behaviors received during the 2 hours immediately following the return. Baseline blood samples were collected 1 week prier to the return and then at 24 hours, 1 week, and 4 weeks thereafter and hermonal and immune measurements were made. Six subjects, matched for age, sex, weight, and rank, which had remained in the social group also were evaluated. In contrast to those subjects which remained in the group (“in-group”), test subjects showed significantly higher cortisol levels and significantly lower absolute numbers of T-helper and T-suppresser cells 24 hours following return when compared to baseline values. There was a significant correlation between percent decline from baseline in absolute numbers of total T cells and total frequency of bites received during the 2 hours following return to the group (r = −0.85). Additionally, mothers of the test subjects showed a significantly greater increase in cortisol levels 24 hours following return than mothers of the in-group subjects. Finally, for the test subjects, there was near perfect negative correlation between absolute numbers of total T cells and cortisol levels 24 hours following return (r = −0.95). These data demonstrate that return to a social group may be stressful and that the specific individual behavioral interactions may predict physiological responses. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.