Expression of a novel Nef epitope on the surface of HIV type 1-infected cells.
We compared antibody responses to various structural and accessory gene products of HIV-1 between long-term nonprogressors and patients who have progressed to AIDS. On the basis of our results, we performed epitope mapping of the Nef protein and identified a novel epitope. This novel epitope of the Nef protein was found to be exposed on the surface of HIV-1-infected cells. The antibody response against it correlated with CD4+ cell counts among HIV-1-infected patients (r = 0.457, p < 0.001). Although further research is necessary, we suspect that antibody response against the epitope may be protective against disease progression.
Yamada
T
T
Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Iwamoto
A
A
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D018450:Disease Progression; D018604:Epitope Mapping; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D015693:Gene Products, nef / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D011817:Rabbits; D013499:Surface Properties; D054311:nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
D015693:Gene Products, nef; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D054311:nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus