Method for determining lymphocyte distribution and trafficking in mammals using imaging

A method for determining lymphocyte trafficking in a mammal having an HIV infection, comprising:

• providing a first mammal having an HIV infection;
• providing a cell population having lymphocytes;
• providing labeled ligand capable of interacting specifically with said lymphocytes;
• contacting said lymphocytes in vitro with said labeled ligand under conditions which allow said ligand to interact with said lymphocytes so as to result in labeled lymphocytes;
• administering said labeled lymphocytes into said first mammal;
• and
• determining the trafficking of said labeled lymphocytes in said first mammal by imaging.

A method for diagnosing the degree of progression of an HIV infection in a mammal, comprising:

• providing a first mammal having lymphocytes, said first mammal having an HIV infection;
• determining the distribution or trafficking pattern of said lymphocytes in said first mammal by imaging, wherein the determining step comprises providing labeled ligand capable of interacting specifically with said lymphocytes and administering said labeled ligand to said first mammal under conditions which allow said labeled ligand to interact with said lymphocytes so as to result in labeled lymphocytes;
• and
• comparing said distribution or trafficking pattern to a standard so as to diagnose the degree of progression of said HIV infection.

A method for monitoring the response to a therapy in a mammal having an HIV infection, comprising:

• providing a first mammal having lymphocytes, said first mammal having an HIV infection;
• treating said first mammal with a therapy for said HIV infection;
• and
• monitoring the response of said first mammal to said treating step by determining whether said therapy alters the distribution or trafficking pattern of said lymphocytes in said first mammal by imaging.

A method for evaluating the ability of an agent to alter the distribution or trafficking of lymphocytes in a mammal having an HIV infection, comprising:

• providing a first HIV infected mammal having lymphocytes;
• providing an agent;
• administering said agent to said first mammal;
• and
• determining whether said agent alters the distribution or trafficking of said lymphocytes in said first mammal.

A method for identifying an agent useful for treating a mammal having an HIV infection, comprising:

• providing an HIV infected mammal having lymphocytes;
• providing an agent;
• administering said agent to said mammal;
• and
• determining whether said agent alters the distribution or trafficking of said lymphocytes in said first mammal, an alteration in said distribution or trafficking pattern which results in a distribution or trafficking pattern more similar to that of a mammal which does not have said disease being correlated with said agent being useful for treating said mammal having said disease.