In Vitro Study of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Function in Healthy Individuals and Patients
In Vitro Study of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Function in Healthy Individuals and Patients
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) will be collected from healthy volunteers and patients who present with different diseases that involve or implicate the immune system dysregulation (HIV infection, autoimmune diseases and cancer). These PBMC will be studied in vitro for a number of functional parameters, including generating soluable factors that inhibit HIV infection, developing patterns of immune dysregulation, and inducing apoptotic T cell death. The purpose of such studies is to obtain insight into the mechanisms of natural resistance to viral infections, AIDS pathogenesis, and disease-induced immune dysregulation.
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) will be collected from healthy volunteers and patients who present with different diseases that involve or implicate the immune system dysregulation (HIV infection, autoimmune diseases and cancer). These PBMC will be studied in vitro for a number of functional parameters, including generating soluable factors that inhibit HIV infection, developing patterns of immune dysregulation, and inducing apoptotic T cell death. The purpose of such studies is to obtain insight into the mechanisms of natural resistance to viral infections, AIDS pathogenesis, and disease-induced immune dysregulation.
Greater than or equal to 18 years old.
Documented HIV infection by current DoD criteria (1 ELISA, 2 Confirmatory Western Blot) or by one of the following tests; DNA PCR, RNA PCR, p24 antigen test, viral culture assay.
CD4 lymphocyte cell count greater than 300 mm(3).
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
Unable to provide informed consent.
Unable to meet the minimum (150 days) and maximum (395 days) research visit interval requirements.