Antibodies against a peptide sequence within the HIV envelope protein crossreacts with human interleukin-2.
Recent investigations have identified a homologous sequence between the lymphokine interleukin 2 (IL-2) and the envelope protein of HIV. This homology is one of six amino acids corresponding to interleukin-2 (IL-2) residues 14-19 (Leu-Glu-His-Leu-Leu-Leu) and to the carboxy terminal six amino acids of HIV envelope protein gp41 (Leu-Glu-Arg-Ile-Leu-Leu). Thus, it is conceivable that an anti-HIV antibody response would generate antibodies which would crossreact with IL-2. We show here that the two peptides are recognized by the immune system as being almost identical. More importantly, antibodies against the HIV envelope peptide bind IL-2. Thus, these studies are the first step in investigating what could be characterized as an HIV-induced autoimmune response, that is, the induction of antibodies to the HIV envelope protein which also crossreact with IL-2.
Bost
K L
KL
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Alabama, Birmingham 35294.
Pascual
D W
DW
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*
D000939:Epitopes; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D015488:HIV Antigens; D007376:Interleukin-2; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins