title: In vitro production of HIV-1 specific antibodies from "at risk" seronegative subjects.
abstract: We investigated a group of well characterized seronegative subjects "at risk" for HIV-1 infection including heterosexual partners of HIV-1 infected subjects and intravenous drug abusers. Pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were studied for their ability to produce antibodies against HIV-1 structural proteins in vitro. Viral activity by means of HIV-1 isolation from PBMCs and presence of serum p24 antigen were also tested. In 7/42 cases (16.6%) HIV-1 immunoreactive specific antibodies were found, mostly directed against the envelope proteins (gp 120/160). Remarkably, none of these in vitro antibody producers yielded HIV-1 isolation in cell cultures or had detectable serum levels of p24 antigen.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hygiene, University of Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quarto
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Fiore
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chironna
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fontana
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Germinario
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Troiano
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fico
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Congedo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grottola
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Monno
mesh_terms: D015153:Blotting, Western; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24 / Q000097:blood; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000635:transmission; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D016485:Needle Sharing / Q000009:adverse effects; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens; D012307:Risk Factors; D012747:Sexual Partners
chemical_list: D015483:HIV Antibodies; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens