Major expansion of CD8+ T cells with a predominant Vbeta usage during the primary immune response to HIV

Combined semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction assay and cytofluorometry analysis of T-cell antigen receptor in sequential peripheral blood mononuclear cells of HIV patients who express the T-cell regulated primary immune response to HIV revealed major oligoclonal elongation of variable domain beta-chain (V-beta) families. These cells with expanded V-beta represented the CD8 T-cell differentiation antigen and regulated HIV-specific cytotoxicity. These expansions indicate a vital constituent of the primary immune response to viral infections and explain the immunopathogenic and protective mechanisms of HIV infection.