title: Selective depletion in HIV infection of T cells that bear specific T cell receptor V beta sequences.
abstract: The mechanism of T cell depletion during infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is unclear. Examination of the repertoire of T cell receptor V (variable) regions in persons infected with HIV revealed the absence of a common set of V beta regions, whereas V alpha usage was normal. The lack of these V beta segments did not appear to correlate with opportunistic infections. The selective elimination of T cells that express a defined set of V beta sequences may indicate the presence of an HIV-encoded superantigen, similar to those encoded by the long terminal repeat of the mouse mammary tumor virus.
authors.affiliation: Consorzio per le Biotecnologie-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche-Institute of Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Imberti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sottini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bettinardi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Puoti
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Primi
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D012016:Reference Values; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D004247:DNA