Inhibition of CD4+ T cell function by the HIV envelope protein, gp120.
The CD4 molecule is functionally involved in the class II MHC-restricted T cell response to Ag. CD4 is also the receptor for HIV-1, the major etiologic agent of AIDS. We have assessed whether the interaction of the HIV-1 envelope protein with the CD4 molecule might interfere with the normal function of CD4, thereby contributing to the immunosuppression observed after HIV infection. Using a murine T cell hybridoma which expresses the human CD4 protein and exhibits a CD4-dependent response to Ag, we demonstrate that the HIV envelope protein gp120 can specifically inhibit this response.
Diamond
D C
DC
Division of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115.
Sleckman
B P
BP
Gregory
T
T
Lasky
L A
LA
Greenstein
J L
JL
Burakoff
S J
SJ
D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology*; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000502:physiology*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051379:Mice; D010641:Phenotype; D012191:Retroviridae Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000502:physiology*
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007376:Interleukin-2; D012191:Retroviridae Proteins; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins