HTLV-III-neutralizing antibodies in patients with AIDS and AIDS-related complex

Abstract

The isolation of the human T-cell leukaemia (lymphotropic) virus type III (HTLV-III or lymphadenopathy-associated virus) from cells of many patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) presented the first evidence that the virus was the aetiological agent of the disease. Subsequent seroepidemiological studies have shown the presence of HTLV-III-specific antibodies in the serum of most patients with AIDS and AIDS-related complex (ARC), and in the serum of many individuals at risk for AIDS. Despite these extensive studies, there are no reports of protective effects of HTLV-III antibodies. In contrast, neutralizing antibodies specific for HTLV-I and -II have been identified previously. Therefore, we investigated whether HTLV-III-exposed individuals possess antibody activities capable of inhibiting viral infection. Here, we report that natural antibodies capable of neutralizing HTLV-III infection of H9 cells were detected in most adults AIDS and ARC patients but in no normal healthy heterosexual controls. Geometric mean antibody titres in ARC patients were double those in AIDS patients, and were even higher in two antibody-positive healthy homosexuals. This suggests that virus neutralizing antibodies may exert an in vivo protective effect. The presence of these antibodies indicates an immunological response to HTLV-III which potentially may be manipulated for therapeutic advantage. The methodology used here will be useful in monitoring future vaccine approaches.

Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and neutralizing activity in sera of HIV-1-infected mothers and their children

“…In this reaction, specific antibodies bind to HIV antigens on the surface of infected cells, which are then killed by Fc receptor-positive effector cells [13]. HIV-specific antibodies from infected individuals have also been found to neutralize viral infectivity in vitro [14,15]. Although the in vivo role is not fully understood, it is likely that neutralizing antibodies are most important in the anti-viral defence.…”

Predominance of Detrimental Humoral Immune Responses to HIV‐1 in AIDS Patients with CD4 Lymphocyte Counts Less Than 400/mm3

“…To that end, the humoral immune responses that can be studied in vitro include antibodydependent neutralization of HIV in the presence and absence of complement, complement-mediated, antibody-dependent enhancement (C 0 -ADE) of HIV infection, antibody, complement-mediated cytotoxicity (ACC), and antibody-dependent, cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) of HIV-1 infected cells. The ability of serum from HIV-1 infected individuals to neutralize HIV-1 infection in vitro has been known for some time ( [7], reviewed in Ref. 8).…”

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 neutralization by plasma from B or F genotype infected individuals

“…The importance of the anti-HIV-1 humoral immune response has been a highly controversial subject since antibodies capable of neutralizing the virus were first described (Ho et al 1985. Robert-Guroff et al 1985, Weiss et al 1985.…”