Activation of PBLs and CD4⁺ T cells from HIV-infected patients is dysregulated and the anticryptococcal activity is defective. (A) PBLs from a healthy donor (HD) and HIV-infected patient (HIV) were activated with IL-2, and the inhibition of number of C neoformans was determined as indicated. *P < .01 compared with the number of C neoformans alone at 24 or 48 hours. Data are representative of 2 independent experiments. (B) CD4⁺ T cells from HIV-infected patients were activated with IL-2 or anti–CD3 + IL-2. Expression of perforin and granulysin was assessed by Western blot. P1 to P5 stand for patients 1 to 5. Data are shown from 5 patients in 5 independent experiments. (C) CD4⁺ T cells from HD or HIV-infected patients were activated with IL-2 or anti–CD3 + IL-2. Granulysin or perforin steady-state mRNA was assessed by RT-PCR. Result from 1 of the 2 representative patients was shown. (D) CD4⁺ T cells were activated with IL-2, and the inhibition of number of C neoformans was determined at 0, 24, or 48 hours. HD indicates healthy donors. Results in panels A and D are expressed as mean ± SEM. *P < .01 compared with the number of C neoformans alone. Data are shown from 5 patients in 5 independent experiments.