CHANGES IN MESENTERIC LYMPH NODE T CELL PHENOTYPE AND B AND T CELL HOMING PROPERTIES AFTER MURINE AIDS INFECTION

Abstract

We studied MLN (mesenteric lymph nodes) T cell phenotype and MLN T and B cells homingproperties after murine AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) infection. Our resultsshowed an increase in the percentage of CD4+ cells expressing CD44, CD54 and LPAM-1. Therewas also a decrease in the proportion of CD8+ cells but an increase in the percentage of CD8+CD54+ cells. An increased proportion of CD11b+ (Mac1) cells suggested the recruitment ofmacrophages. Murine AIDS MLN cells labeled with 125I-UDR migrated back to the MLN but didnot preferentially migrate to the ILP (intestinal lamina propria). Simultaneous staining forBRDU and IgA confirmed the inability of murine AIDS MLN cells to home to the ILP. These dataindicate that murine AIDS infection altered the mucosal immune system while modifying MLN Tcell phenotype and MLN T and B cells migratory properties.