Wounded.Bird@f38.n135.z1.fidonet.org (Wounded Bird) (08/28/90)
Several months ago I posed a question about a fellow who had been diagnosed as
having both Lupus and AIDS. I received inquiries indicating an apparent
dichotomy. Aids suppresses the immune system and Lupus is a condition where
the immune system attacks cells of the person's body. "Mobilizing Against
Aids" brings forth some data which may explain the above.
Researchers (Lane et al (1) below) have noted an abnormally high number of
fully differentiated, antibody secreting B cells in patients with AIDS. These
cells are not able to respond to new antigens that enter the body......"If all
the specialized response teams are out answering false alarms, they would not
be available when an emergency arose that required their unique skills.
Similarly, the B cells in HIV infected patients are busily producing
unnecessary antibodies and are not able to respond when a real need arises."
"This hyperactivity diminishes the ability of HIV-infected patients to resist
disease and also complicates the diagnoses of many oportunistic infections,
because the patient does not make detectable antbodies against invading
viruses or bacteria. ALSO, THE PRESENCE OF LARGE QUANTITIES OF SUPERFLUOUS
ANTIBODY INCREASES THE LIKELIHOOD OF AN AUTOIMMUNE REACTION, IN WHICH THE BODY
BEGINS TO ATTACK ITSELF." [emphasis added by W.B.]
"The reasons for the abnormal activation of B lymphocytes in HIV infection
remain unclear. {sorry Adam :)} Initially, it was thought to result from a
concurrent infection with cytomegalovirus or Epstein-Barr virus; both are
present in the majority of HIV-infected patients, and both have been shown to
cause B-cell hyperactivity. Further studies have shown, however, that HIV
itself can trigger such a response.".............
".....Gendleman and his colleagues also have demonstrated that cells infected
with both HIV and another virus (such as cytomegalovirus,Epstein-Barr virus,
Hepatitus B virus, and herpes simplex virus) produce significantly more HIV
proteins than do cells infected with HIV alone." (2)
References:
(1) -Lane,Masur, Edgar, Whalen, Rook and Fauci, "Abnormalities of B-Cell
Activation and immunoregulation in Patients with the Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome, "NEJM 309 (1983):453-458
(2) Gendleman, Phelps, Freignbaum, et. al, "Transactivation of the Human
Immunodeficiency Virus terminal Repeat Sequence by DNA Viruses", Proceedings
of the National Academy of Sciences 83 (1986):9759-9763
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