Modulation of CD3-gamma gene expression after HIV type 1 infection of the WE17/10 T cell line is progressive and occurs in concert with decreased production of viral p24 antigen.

HIV-1 infection of WE17/10, an IL-2-dependent CD4+ human T cell line, abrogates T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 expression due to a transcription level defect in the CD3-gamma chain gene. Kinetic examination of surface receptor density reveals that these complexes are progressively reduced early after HIV-1 infection as the cells transition from TCR/CD3hi-->TCR/CD3lo-->TCR/CD3-. The passage from TCR/CD3hi reversible TCR/CD3lo is characterized by a steady decrease in receptor density from 100 to 50% of control values with similar kinetic for all of the viral variants tested.