Mapping of IgG subclass and T-cell epitopes on HIV proteins by synthetic peptides.
Fifteen amino acid peptides, sequentially overlapping by 10 amino acids, were synthesized on the basis of the HTLV-III sequences of the gag and env proteins. They were used as antigens in IgG subclass ELISAs and T-cell stimulation assays. Sera and cells were obtained from 30 asymptomatic, HIV-infected homosexuals. In all subclasses reactivity was found to parts of the gag protein, while IgG1 dominated anti-env peptide responses. It was possible to delineate peptides showing restricted IgG subclass responses that were dominated by either IgG1, 2, 3 or 4. A negative correlation was generally observed between B-cell and T-cell reactivity, but a T-cell and B-cell co-operation was suggested by the response to two IgG1-restricted peptides. The IgG3-dominated epitopes were present in peptides previously known to be amphipathic and capable of T-cell stimulation. The analysis of subclass-restricted responses on the peptide level will assist the understanding of the subclass expression in vivo, since the peptide mapping approximates the delineation of a subclass-restricted response at the level of single epitopes.
Mathiesen
T
T
National Bacteriological Laboratory, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Broliden
P A
PA
Rosen
J
J
Wahren
B
B
D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology*; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology*; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120; D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000145:classification*; D010449:Peptide Mapping; D012191:Retroviridae Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000276:immunology
D000939:Epitopes; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D015488:HIV Antigens; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120; D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D012191:Retroviridae Proteins; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins