Complement and antibodies: a dangerous liaison in HIV infection?
Due to ongoing recombination and mutations, HIV permanently escapes from neutralizing antibody (nAb) responses of the host. By the masking of epitopes or shedding of gp120, HIV-1 further impedes an efficient neutralization by Abs. Therefore, nAbs responses of the host are chasing behind a rapidly evolving virus and mainly non-neutralizing antibodies (non-nAbs) are present in the host. At the same time, complement deposition on immune-complexed HIV may counteract the immune response by enhancing the infection. On the other hand, complement-mediated lysis is a putative effector mechanism to control viral replication. Here we review the complex interplay between complement, neutralizing and non-neutralizing Abs during HIV infection and discuss the contribution of Abs and complement in blocking versus enhancing the course of infection.
Stoiber
Heribert
H
Department Hygiene and Microbiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Fritz-Preglstr. 3, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria. hygiene@i-med.ac.at
Soederholm
Anna
A
Wilflingseder
Doris
D
Gusenbauer
Simone
S
Hildgartner
Alexander
A
Dierich
Manfred P
MP
D000920:Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D020566:Dendritic Cells, Follicular / Q000502:physiology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000502:physiology; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000502:physiology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016167:Integrin alphaXbeta2 / Q000502:physiology; D016177:Macrophage-1 Antigen / Q000502:physiology
D015483:HIV Antibodies; D016167:Integrin alphaXbeta2; D016177:Macrophage-1 Antigen; D003165:Complement System Proteins