title: Autoantibodies against beta 2-microglobulin-free HLA antigens in AIDS patients.
abstract: Serum samples from 88 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive drug addicts have been investigated for the presence of antibodies to both beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m)-free and beta 2m-associated HLA class I molecules. Using HIV-negative drug addicts as background control, we found that none of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stage II, 9.1% of CDC III, 36.4% of CDC IV A, and 45.5% of CDC IV C1 patients had significant levels of autoantibodies competing with the binding of the monoclonal antibody specific for beta 2m-free HLA I (L31 mAb). Using the mAb 01.65, recognizing the beta 2m-associated form of HLA class I molecules, a similar percentage of positive samples was found in the CDC II, CDC III, and CDC IV A patient groups; conversely, the percentage of positive serum samples was lower in the CDC IV C1 group. A lower number of systemic lupus erythematosus serum samples and none of the specimens from healthy adult subjects or patients suffering from recurrent Epstein-Barr virus infections were positive in both assays. Our data demonstrate the existence of an ongoing HLA class I-specific autoimmune response during AIDS disease development, which probably reflects a molecular mimicry between autologous histocompatibility antigens and HIV components. The relationship between the prevalence of autoantibodies against beta 2m-free HLA class I and disease progression suggests a possible pathogenetic role of these antibodies in the induction of the HIV-associated immune deficiency.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Immunopathology, University of Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: M O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Borghi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Santis
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Barcellini
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lopalco
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fain
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lazzarin
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Siccardi
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Meroni
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zanussi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beretta
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D006680:HLA Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin