Molecular characterization of human monoclonal antibodies specific for several HIV proteins: analysis of the VH3 family expression.
We have analyzed the heavy-chain variable (VH) region genes expressed by a panel of human monoclonal antibodies derived from an immunized volunteer, an AIDS patient and seropositive asymptomatic donors, and specific for HIV-1 env, pol and gag gene products. The third complementarity-determining regions show a high complexity with unconventional gene recombination events. Most of the VH genes utilized are also frequently encountered in other immune responses. Their sequences are, in general, typical of an antigen-driven immune response. Molecular mechanisms that generate high-affinity antibodies are then effective during HIV infection. Remarkably, VH3 family, which dominates the human antibody repertoire, is barely encountered among anti-HIV antibodies.
Unité d'Immunogénétique Cellulaire, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
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David
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Goossens
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Desgranges
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Thèze
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Zouali
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D000918:Antibody Specificity / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D015686:Gene Products, env / Q000276:immunology; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000276:immunology; D015684:Gene Products, pol / Q000276:immunology; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family; D009154:Mutation
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015686:Gene Products, env; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D015684:Gene Products, pol; D015488:HIV Antigens; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region