title: Comparison of the specificities of IgG, IgG-subclass, IgA and IgM reactivities in African and European HIV-infected individuals with an HIV-1 clade C proteome-based array.
abstract: A comprehensive set of recombinant proteins and peptides of the proteome of HIV-1 clade C was prepared and purified and used to measure IgG, IgG-subclass, IgA and IgM responses in HIV-infected patients from Sub-Saharan Africa, where clade C is predominant. As a comparison group, HIV-infected patients from Europe were tested. African and European patients showed an almost identical antibody reactivity profile in terms of epitope specificity and involvement of IgG, IgG subclass, IgA and IgM responses. A V3-peptide of gp120 was identified as major epitope recognized by IgG1>IgG2 = IgG4>IgG3, IgA>IgM antibodies and a C-terminal peptide represented another major peptide epitope for the four IgG subclasses. By contrast, gp41-derived-peptides were mainly recognized by IgG1 but not by the other IgG subclasses, IgA or IgM. Among the non-surface proteins, protease, reverse transcriptase+RNAseH, integrase, as well as the capsid and matrix proteins were the most frequently and strongly recognized antigens which showed broad IgG subclass and IgA reactivity. Specificities and magnitudes of antibody responses in African patients were stable during disease and antiretroviral treatment, and persisted despite severe T cell loss. Using a comprehensive panel of gp120, gp41 peptides and recombinant non-surface proteins of HIV-1 clade C we found an almost identical antibody recognition profile in African and European patients regarding epitopes and involved IgG-sublass, IgA- and IgM-responses. Immune recognition of gp120 peptides and non-surface proteins involved all four IgG subclasses and was indicative of a mixed Th1/Th2 immune response. The HIV-1 clade C proteome-based test allowed diagnosis and monitoring of antibody responses in the course of HIV-infections and assessment of isotype and subclass responses.
authors: Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Gallerano
authors: Gamma City Laboratory, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors: Portia
authors: P
authors: Ndlovu
authors: Gamma City Laboratory, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors: Ian
authors: I
authors: Makupe
authors: Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Margarete
authors: M
authors: Focke-Tejkl
authors: Institute of Molecular Biosciences-Structural Biology, Karl Franzens University, Graz, Austria.
authors: Kerstin
authors: K
authors: Fauland
authors: Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Wollmann
authors: Department of Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Elisabeth
authors: E
authors: Puchhammer-Stöckl
authors: Institute of Molecular Biosciences-Structural Biology, Karl Franzens University, Graz, Austria.
authors: Walter
authors: W
authors: Keller
authors: Asthma, Allergy and Immune Dysfunction Clinic, Parirenyatwa University Teaching Hospital, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors: Elopy
authors: E
authors: Sibanda
authors: Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Rudolf
authors: R
authors: Valenta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D000368:Aged; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / Q000276:immunology*; D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / Q000276:immunology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000276:immunology*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology*; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008958:Models, Molecular; D020543:Proteome / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120; D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D020543:Proteome