Selective variations in vivo of VH3 and VH1 gene family expression in peripheral B cell IgM, IgD and IgG during HIV infection.
We have analyzed the expression of VH gene families in IgM, IgD and IgG of peripheral blood B cells from a group of HIV-infected patients. CD19+CD20+ cells were purified and anchored reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction products were hybridized with VH gene family probes. IgM, IgD and IgG that expressed a VH3 gene family segment, were decreased in patients with low CD4 counts and to a greater extend in patients with AIDS symptoms (up to 85% for IgG) compared to adult healthy donors. This was correlated with elevated levels of IgM and IgG encoded by a VH1 gene family segment (around 60% for IgG). These results confirm and extend previous work that has detected the VH3 gene family under-representation in HIV infection. Here, we show that, in vivo, this phenomenon actually affects the different B cell populations of the peripheral blood: IgM+ or IgG+ B cells and also IgM+IgD+ naive B cells. In the course of HIV infection, this results in their gradual depletion. Data presented here strengthen the hypothesis that a B-cell superantigen exists in HIV infection. These pronounced variations of the normally most-expressed VH gene family may be related to B cell abnormalities detected in HIV-infected patients.
David
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D
Département d'Immunologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
Demaison
C
C
Bani
L
L
Zouali
M
M
Thèze
J
J
D000328:Adult; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D001483:Base Sequence; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007072:Immunoglobulin D / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis
D007072:Immunoglobulin D; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region; D012333:RNA, Messenger