Biomaterial Database

The acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in hemophiliacs: a hypothesis. 1983

T V Shankey, and M E Eyster

Healthy hemophiliacs receiving antihemophilic (AHF) concentrates have decreased T-helper/suppressor (H/S) ratios, similar to the changes observed in healthy homosexuals considered at risk for the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). We present a hypothesis which focuses on the role of natural killer (NK) cells and elevated serum levels of alpha interferon (IFN alpha) in hemophiliacs with AIDS. This hypothesis suggests that alloantigens in AHF concentrates provide an important inducing event which compromises the immune system of the hemophilia patient and enhances his susceptibility to infection by a transmissible agent. It provides an explanation for the predominance of NK cells with T-cell markers, impaired NK cell function, elevated serum IFN alpha levels, and the deficit in T-helper/inducer cells in hemophilic patients with AIDS. Furthermore, it could account for the T-cell subset imbalance in relation to total AHF units transfused, and to the development of an inverted H/S ratio which is a constant feature of AIDS.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007370	Interferon Type I	Interferon secreted by leukocytes, fibroblasts, or lymphoblasts in response to viruses or interferon inducers other than mitogens, antigens, or allo-antigens. They include alpha- and beta-interferons (INTERFERON-ALPHA and INTERFERON-BETA).	Interferons Type I,Type I Interferon,Type I Interferons,Interferon, Type I,Interferons, Type I
D007694	Killer Cells, Natural	Bone marrow-derived lymphocytes that possess cytotoxic properties, classically directed against transformed and virus-infected cells. Unlike T CELLS; and B CELLS; NK CELLS are not antigen specific. The cytotoxicity of natural killer cells is determined by the collective signaling of an array of inhibitory and stimulatory CELL SURFACE RECEPTORS. A subset of T-LYMPHOCYTES referred to as NATURAL KILLER T CELLS shares some of the properties of this cell type.	NK Cells,Natural Killer Cells,Cell, NK,Cell, Natural Killer,Cells, NK,Cells, Natural Killer,Killer Cell, Natural,NK Cell,Natural Killer Cell
D008297	Male		Males
D005169	Factor VIII	Factor VIII of blood coagulation. Antihemophilic factor that is part of the factor VIII/von Willebrand factor complex. Factor VIII is produced in the liver and acts in the intrinsic pathway of blood coagulation. It serves as a cofactor in factor X activation and this action is markedly enhanced by small amounts of thrombin.	Coagulation Factor VIII,Factor VIII Clotting Antigen,Factor VIII Coagulant Antigen,Factor VIII Procoagulant Activity,Thromboplastinogen,Blood Coagulation Factor VIII,F VIII-C,Factor 8,Factor 8 C,Factor Eight,Factor VIIIC,Hyate-C,Hyatt-C,F VIII C,Hyate C,HyateC,Hyatt C,HyattC
D006467	Hemophilia A	The classic hemophilia resulting from a deficiency of factor VIII. It is an inherited disorder of blood coagulation characterized by a permanent tendency to hemorrhage.	Factor VIII Deficiency,Hemophilia,Autosomal Hemophilia A,Classic Hemophilia,Deficiency, Factor VIII,Factor 8 Deficiency, Congenital,Factor VIII Deficiency, Congenital,Haemophilia,Hemophilia A, Congenital,Hemophilia, Classic,As, Autosomal Hemophilia,Autosomal Hemophilia As,Classic Hemophilias,Congenital Hemophilia A,Congenital Hemophilia As,Hemophilia A, Autosomal,Hemophilia As,Hemophilia As, Autosomal,Hemophilia As, Congenital,Hemophilias, Classic
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000163	Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome	An acquired defect of cellular immunity associated with infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a CD4-positive T-lymphocyte count under 200 cells/microliter or less than 14% of total lymphocytes, and increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections and malignant neoplasms. Clinical manifestations also include emaciation (wasting) and dementia. These elements reflect criteria for AIDS as defined by the CDC in 1993.	AIDS,Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Acquired,Immunologic Deficiency Syndrome, Acquired,Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome,Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome,Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome,Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndromes,Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndromes,Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome, Acquired,Immuno-Deficiency Syndromes, Acquired,Immunodeficiency Syndromes, Acquired,Syndrome, Acquired Immuno-Deficiency,Syndrome, Acquired Immunodeficiency,Syndromes, Acquired Immuno-Deficiency,Syndromes, Acquired Immunodeficiency
D013601	T-Lymphocytes	Lymphocytes responsible for cell-mediated immunity. Two types have been identified - cytotoxic (T-LYMPHOCYTES, CYTOTOXIC) and helper T-lymphocytes (T-LYMPHOCYTES, HELPER-INDUCER). They are formed when lymphocytes circulate through the THYMUS GLAND and differentiate to thymocytes. When exposed to an antigen, they divide rapidly and produce large numbers of new T cells sensitized to that antigen.	T Cell,T Lymphocyte,T-Cells,Thymus-Dependent Lymphocytes,Cell, T,Cells, T,Lymphocyte, T,Lymphocyte, Thymus-Dependent,Lymphocytes, T,Lymphocytes, Thymus-Dependent,T Cells,T Lymphocytes,T-Cell,T-Lymphocyte,Thymus Dependent Lymphocytes,Thymus-Dependent Lymphocyte