Phenotypic and functional characterization of CD8+CD57+ subpopulation in patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID)

The phenotype of CD8+CD57+ T lymphocytes from 33 patients with common variable immunodeficiency syndrome (CVID) was analysed. In the CD8+CD57+ subpopulation, the expression of CD11b, CD29 and C1.7. was significantly higher and the expression of CD25, CD26, CD27, CD28, CD69 and CD130 was lower compared to the CD8+CD57- subpopulation. In samples from 17 patients we investigated the intracellular interleukinproduction after in vitro stimulation with PMA and ionomycin. In the CD8+/CD57+ subpopulation IFN-gamma was meanly increased, the production of IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-13 was decreased. CD8-+/CD57+ lymphocytes from CVID patients are cells at an advanced level of activation with a cytotoxic cytokine profile. We suppose, that they might be effector cells for virus defense.