Nonrandom association of cellular antigens with HTLV-III virions.
Retroviruses are known to incorporate cellular antigens as they bud from infected cells. To identify the cellular antigens that associate with the AIDS-retrovirus, we evaluated a preparation of HTLV-III antigens with a panel of monoclonal antibodies reactive with a variety of antigens expressed on the H9 T-cell line used to produce the virus. Only monoclonal antibodies that identified HLA class-II antigens, beta-2 microglobulin, and a single anti-HLA class-I antibody were reactive in an ELISA of solubilized HTLV-III virus. No reactivity was seen with 11 monoclonal antibodies to T-cell antigens or with five antibodies to determinants on HLA class-I A or B molecules. These data suggest that on H9 cells the association of budding HTLV-III virions with cellular antigens may be a nonrandom process in which some HLA antigens, particularly class-II antigens, are selectively incorporated into the viral envelope. It is possible that a selective association of HLA class II antigens with budding HTLV-III virions may also occur for T cells infected in vivo, and could have relevance for the pathogenesis of this virus.
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology*; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006681:HLA-D Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007163:Immunosorbent Techniques; D014771:Virion / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006680:HLA Antigens; D006681:HLA-D Antigens