Significant genetic and antigenic variability within the env gene of systemic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 group O populations during the natural course of a heterosexual infection: a pilot study

J Clin Microbiol. 2007 Apr;45(4):1319-21. doi: 10.1128/JCM.01818-06. Epub 2007 Jan 31.

Abstract

We assessed the genetic and the antigenic variability within the env gene of peripheral blood human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 (HIV-1) group O populations during the natural course of a female heterosexual infection. Our data revealed the existence of a significant increase in amino acid sequence variability within the C2-V3 and gp41 regions (P = 0.023 and P < 0.001, respectively) in association with substitutions within neutralizing epitope sequences usually selected for HIV serological assays. These antigenic variations might significantly decrease the sensitivity of classical HIV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays with blood samples of subjects heterosexually infected by HIV-1 group O strains. These findings may be of significant use both to devise diagnostic tools and to pursue suitable therapeutic modalities in cases of heterosexual infection by outlier HIV-1 strains.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Amino Acid Substitution / genetics
  • Antigenic Variation / genetics*
  • Base Sequence
  • Blood / virology
  • Epitopes / genetics
  • Female
  • Genes, env*
  • Genetic Variation*
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / genetics
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / genetics
  • HIV Infections / virology*
  • HIV-1 / classification*
  • HIV-1 / genetics*
  • HIV-1 / isolation & purification
  • Heterosexuality
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Pilot Projects

Substances

  • Epitopes
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AM262114
  • GENBANK/AM262115
  • GENBANK/AM262116
  • GENBANK/AM262117
  • GENBANK/AM262118
  • GENBANK/AM262119
  • GENBANK/AM262120
  • GENBANK/AM262121
  • GENBANK/AM262122
  • GENBANK/AM262123
  • GENBANK/AM262124
  • GENBANK/AM262125
  • GENBANK/AM262126
  • GENBANK/AM262127
  • GENBANK/AM262128
  • GENBANK/AM262129
  • GENBANK/AM262130
  • GENBANK/AM262131
  • GENBANK/AM262132
  • GENBANK/AM262133
  • GENBANK/AM262134
  • GENBANK/AM262135
  • GENBANK/AM262136
  • GENBANK/AM262137
  • GENBANK/AM262138
  • GENBANK/AM262139
  • GENBANK/AM262140
  • GENBANK/AM262141
  • GENBANK/AM262142
  • GENBANK/AM262143
  • GENBANK/AM262144
  • GENBANK/AM262145
  • GENBANK/AM262146