CD4 and CD8 cells are lymphocytes that have markers on the surfaces of the cells called CD4 and CD8. They are types of white blood cells that fight infection, and they play an important role in your immune system function. CD4 and CD8 cells are made in the bone marrow, and mature in the thymus gland, a small gland found in the upper chest. They circulate throughout the body in the bloodstream, spleen and the lymph nodes. CD4 cells…CD4 and CD8 cells are lymphocytes that have markers on the surfaces of the cells called CD4 and CD8. They are types of white blood cells that fight infection, and they play an important role in your immune system function. CD4 and CD8 cells are made in the bone marrow, and mature in the thymus gland, a small gland found in the upper chest. They circulate throughout the body in the bloodstream, spleen and the lymph nodes. CD4 cells are sometimes called T-helper cells. They help to identify and trigger the attack and destruction of specific bacteria, fungi and viruses that affect the body. CD4 cells are a major target for HIV, which binds to the surface of CD4 cells, enters them, and either replicates immediately, killing the cells in the process, or remains in a resting state, replicating later. As the HIV virus gets into the cells and replicates, the number of CD4 cells in the blood gradually declines. The CD4 count decreases with HIV disease progression. This process may continue for several years before the number of CD4 cells drops to a low enough level that symptoms associated with AIDS begin to appear. As treatment reduces the amount of HIV present in the body and slows progression, the CD4 count will increase and/or stabilize. CD8 cells include lymphocytes that are called cytotoxic T cells and T-suppressor cells. CD8 cytotoxic T-cells identify and kill cells that have been infected with viruses or that have been affected by cancer. They play an important role in the immune response to HIV by killing cells infected with the virus and by producing substances that block HIV replication. These tests measure the number of CD4 and CD8 cells in the blood and, in conjunction with an HIV viral load test, assess the status of the immune system if you have been diagnosed with HIV. As the disease progresses, the number of CD4 cells will decrease in relation to the number of total lymphocytes and CD8 cells. To provide a clearer picture of the condition of the immune system, the results of these tests may be expressed as a ratio of CD4 to total lymphocytes (percentage) or as a ratio of CD4 cells to CD8 cells. These tests are most often used to help monitor disease progression in HIV but may also be used occasionally in other conditions such as lymphomas and patients receiving immune suppresive medications or in the diagnosis and monitoring of primary and non-HIV related immune deficiences. (See FAQ #4) See MoreSee Less
