HIV type 1 subtype E-infected patients with broadened, dual (B/E) V3 loop serology have increased cross-neutralizing antibodies

AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2001 Jan 1;17(1):69-79. doi: 10.1089/088922201750056807.

Abstract

The two prevalent subtypes of HIV-1 circulating in Thailand are subtypes E and B. While the most prevalent subtype continues to be E using molecular typing assays, immunologically, a subset of subtype E-infected patients (3.4% in 1997) have binding antibodies to both the E and B V3 loops in a peptide ELISA. To assess the potential function of this dual (B/E) V3 reactivity, plasmas from patients with genetically defined HIV-1 subtype E infection and either E or B/E V3 serotypes were compared for magnitude and breadth of neutralization of seven primary and laboratory-adapted subtype B and E viruses. Dually reactive (B/E) plasmas showed significantly increased cross-neutralizing activity against subtype B viruses (p < 0.001), and increased neutralization of the panel of viruses overall (p < 0.02), as compared to monoreactive E serotype plasmas. While the total envelope binding antibody titers to both subtype B and E envelopes did not differ significantly between the E and B/E plasmas, 67% of B/E plasmas neutralized >50% of the viruses in the panel, and only 14% of E plasmas showed this broadened neutralizing activity. These data suggest that dual (B/E) V3 loop reactivity may be a marker of broader immune recognition of HIV envelope epitopes in subtype E-infected patients. V3 loop antibody, perhaps in conjunction with antibodies to additional epitopes, may play a role in neutralization of virus isolates from Thailand.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Cross Reactions
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • HIV Antibodies / blood
  • HIV Antibodies / immunology*
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / chemistry
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / immunology*
  • HIV Infections / virology*
  • HIV-1 / classification*
  • HIV-1 / genetics
  • HIV-1 / immunology
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Peptide Fragments / chemistry
  • Peptide Fragments / immunology*
  • Serotyping
  • Thailand

Substances

  • HIV Antibodies
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120
  • HIV envelope protein gp120 (305-321)
  • Peptide Fragments