title: Immunological consequences of HIV infection: advantage of being low responder casts doubts on vaccine development.
abstract: Immunosuppression in AIDS might be due to the immune response rather than to the pathogenicity of the virus. The basis of the immunosuppression could be molecular mimicries involving viral gp-110, CD4 molecules, antibodies, and CD4-acceptor sites. Whether an individual develops auto-immunosuppressive responses or mounts a harmless defence against (or coexists with) the virus follows the general rules of lymphocyte repertoire selection. MHC and V region genes and other polymorphic loci, together with the previous state of the immune system, particularly at early developmental periods, are factors that influence the response. Vaccination against gp 110-HIV might thus protect against infection but at the same time cause auto-immunosuppression and disease.
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D000939:Epitopes / Q000235:genetics; D005814:Genes, Viral; D006678:HIV / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D011991:Receptors, Virus / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000939:Epitopes; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D011991:Receptors, Virus; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; D014765:Viral Vaccines