Genetic control of the CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio in humans

Nat Med. 1995 Dec;1(12):1279-83. doi: 10.1038/nm1295-1279.

Abstract

We studied the genetic pattern of inheritance of the ratio between circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in a population of healthy donors. The distribution of the CD4/CD8 ratio in males and females was significantly different and was significantly affected by age. In 46 randomly selected families, the parental CD4/CD8 ratio significantly influenced the ratio in offspring. Complex segregation analysis of the data rejected the non-genetic hypothesis; among the genetic models tested, a major recessive gene with a polygenic component and random environmental effects was the most parsimonious model. These findings indicate that the ratio of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells is genetically controlled in humans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • CD4-CD8 Ratio*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / ultrastructure
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / ultrastructure
  • Female
  • Genes, Recessive
  • Genetics, Population
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Male
  • Models, Genetic
  • Phenotype*
  • Sex Factors