Molecular mimicry between HIV-1 and antigen receptor molecules: a clue to the pathogenesis of AIDS.
There is increasing evidence that autoimmune phenomena play an important role in the immunopathogenesis of AIDS. We found a high degree of sequence homology between HIV-1 and antigen receptor molecules, immunoglobulins and T cell receptors. Based on recent findings that the appearance of anti-Fab autoantibodies and attachment of gp120/immunoglobulin/complement complexes on CD4+ T cells are associated with the decrease of CD4+ T cells in HIV-infected patients, we hypothesize herein that cross-reactive anti-F (ab')2 autoantibodies and circulating gp120 molecules are responsible for a destabilization of the immune network and the elimination of CD4+ T cells.
Süsal
C
C
Department of Transplantation Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University of Heidelberg, FRG.
Kröpelin
M
M
Daniel
V
V
Opelz
G
G
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / Q000276:immunology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011946:Receptors, Antigen / Q000737:chemistry*; D015728:Receptors, HIV / Q000737:chemistry*; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D011946:Receptors, Antigen; D015728:Receptors, HIV