title: Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-seronegative injection drug users at risk for HIV exposure have antibodies to HLA class I antigens and T cells specific for HIV envelope.
abstract: The question of whether persistently seronegative persons at high risk for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection exhibit HIV-1-specific T cell responses and antibodies to HIV-1 envelope epitopes shared with selected HLAs was assessed. These antibodies are not detectable by conventional serologic methods. Envelope-specific helper T (Env-Th) cell responses and antibodies specific for the HIV/HLA epitopes were studied in 21 HIV-1-negative injection drug users (IDUs). HIV/HLA antibodies were detected in 7 (33.3%) of 21 IDUs and 4 (4.3%) of 94 low-risk controls. Env-Th cell responses were detected in 16 (76.2%) of 21 IDUs and in 2 (3.1%) of 65 low-risk controls. All HIV/HLA antibody-positive IDUs also had Env-Th cell responses. These findings confirm the presence of HIV-1-specific immunity in conventionally seronegative individuals. Further characterization of these responses could provide the basis for new preventive strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Technology, S. Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beretta
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rappocciolo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mayur
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Santis
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Quirinale
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cosma
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Robbioni
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Shearer
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Berzofsky
mesh_terms: D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D018023:HIV Seronegativity / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D012307:Risk Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015483:HIV Antibodies; D015488:HIV Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D007376:Interleukin-2; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins