Binding of feline immunodeficiency viral gag-p24 polypeptide to nonimmune Igs.
Available data on the existence of lentivirus proteins with properties of unconventional Ag for B cells, have been so far restricted to human immunodeficiency virus (i.e. gp-120 of HIV-I). By using biotinylated-MAbs-anti-biotin IgG as readout system, we now report that gag-p24 antigen, either assembled in feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) particles or expressed as recombinant polypeptide (rec.p24) may bind to nonimmune IgGs purified from mouse or cat sera. Moreover, FACS scanning experiments are consistent with the possibility that rec.p24 interacts with surface-Ig in a sub-population (5-6%) of rodent B cells. We hypothesize that gag-p24 peptide encoded regions may bind to unconventional Ig sites or, alternatively, that they may represent 'public' epitopes for natural polyreactive antibody.
Amici
A
A
Department of Biology MCA, University of Camerino, MC, Italy.
Smorlesi
A
A
Concetti
A
A
Ripani
E
E
Battistini
L
L
Venanzi
F M
FM
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000276:immunology*; D016089:Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline / Q000276:immunology*; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000276:immunology
D015683:Gene Products, gag; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D010455:Peptides; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C074662:p24 protein, Feline immunodeficiency virus