Increased human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) env compartmentalization in the presence of HIV-1-associated dementia.
The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) surface Env protein has been implicated in the development of HIV-1-associated dementia (HAD). HIV-1 env diversity was analyzed by heteroduplex tracking assay in 27 infected subjects with various neurological statuses. env compartmentalization between the blood and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) was apparent with all neurological categories. However, in subjects with HAD, significantly more CSF virus was represented by CNS-unique env variants. Variants specialized for replication in the CNS may play a larger role in the development of HAD. Alternatively, HAD may be associated with a more pronounced state of immunosuppression that permits more extensive replication and independent evolution within the CNS compartment.
Ritola
Kimberly
K
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, UNC Center for AIDS Research, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7295, USA.
Robertson
Kevin
K
Fiscus
Susan A
SA
Hall
Colin
C
Swanstrom
Ronald
R
D015526:AIDS Dementia Complex / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology*; D000328:Adult; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001921:Brain / Q000821:virology; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D015686:Gene Products, env / Q000502:physiology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D014779:Virus Replication
D015686:Gene Products, env