Antigen-specific and polyclonal B-cell responses in patients with acquired immunodeficiency disease syndrome.

Patients with acquired immunodeficiency disease syndrome (AIDS) show a complex spectrum of immunological abnormalities. We have examined B-lymphocyte function in 58 patients with AIDS and Kaposi's sarcoma. The major finding has been that the specific antibody response to sheep red blood cell antigen in vitro is severely depressed. Analysis of the defect in specific antibody production indicates that it is not caused by lack of T-cell help or excessive T-cell suppression, and suggests that it reflects an abnormality of the B-cell compartment itself. The defect does not affect the ability of B cells to respond to polyclonal stimulation. The possibility is considered that continuous hyperactivation of B cells in AIDS patients (as reflected in the increase in both immunoglobulin-secreting cells and serum immunoglobulin levels) results in depletion of the pool from which precursors for antigen specific B-cell responses are normally recruited.