title: V beta-specific activation of T cells by the HIV glycoprotein gp 160.
abstract: Studies by several groups have suggested that HIV infection in vivo results in a V beta-specific alteration of the TCR repertoire and that this might play a role in the pathogenesis of AIDS. However, there is very little agreement as to which V beta segments are affected. In order to circumvent the confounding factors present in vivo we have examined the abilities of both a crude protein extract of HIV and purified gp160 to alter the V beta repertoire of normal T cells in vitro. We find that both a crude extract of HIV as well as gp160 specifically activate T cells expressing a common set of V beta segments (V beta 3, 12, 14, 15, and sometimes V beta 17 and 20) in individuals of disparate HLA type. This set of V beta segments is remarkably similar to those recognized by staphlococcal enterotoxin B and supports the hypothesis that bacterial superantigens produced by opportunistically acquired micro-organisms could have an exacerbating effect in AIDS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, North Shore University Hospital/Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, NY, USA.
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Akolkar
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chirmule
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gulwani-Akolkar
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pahwa
authors.forename: V S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Kalyanaraman
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pergolizzi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Macphail
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Silver
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D001483:Base Sequence; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000502:physiology*; D018089:Superantigens / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D018089:Superantigens