Antibodies against AIDS proteins

Article Abstract:

During many different varieties of viral infection, the human body develops antibodies against different viral molecules. These antibodies aid in recovery from the infection, and in many cases confer lasting immunity upon the host. Unfortunately, the antibodies against the AIDS virus do not cure or control the infection. However, AIDS virus antibodies are still of interest, as they provide insights into the workings of this lethal infection. In the past, investigators have examined the appearance and disappearance of antibodies against the various proteins of the AIDS virus, and have watched them change as the disease progresses. While simple in principle, monitoring the level of antibodies in human blood can be quite demanding experimentally. In particular, the reliability of the results rests strongly upon the reliability of the available reagents. Results of research have now shown that proteins of the AIDS virus that are grown in insect cells can be more free of contaminants than proteins grown in bacteria, the usual method of molecular biology. Using these cleaner viral proteins as a starting point for careful measurements, researchers have show a difference in the appearance of antibodies against the 'vif' and the 'rev' proteins. The function of the vif protein is not known, but viruses that do not have this protein are a thousand-fold less infectious. Antibody assay has shown that patients infected with the AIDS virus quickly develop antibodies against the vif protein; these antibodies then disappear as the patient progresses from testing positive for HIV to developing AIDS. In contrast, the rev protein, which regulates the expression of viral genes, stimulates antibodies that are then present throughout all stages in the disease progression. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Virus-induced immunosuppression

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HIV induces thymus depletion in vivo

Article Abstract:

SCID-hu mice were created by the implantation of human haematolymphoid organs to create a viable environment for T-cell maturation to proceed. This process allowed the observation of HIV pathogenesis in vivo. Results showed that HIV infection inhibited the advance of human thymopoiesis, thus reducing the possibility of T-cell compartment regeneration. The study concludes that HIV-1 infection of thymus and liver implants may be linked to increased depletion of CD4CD8 thymocytes, resulting in the inversion of the relationship between CD4 and CD8.

Cell differentiation, Lymphoid tissue

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The dynamics of CD4+ T-cell depletion in HIV disease

Article Abstract:

Issues are presented concerning the disturbance of the homeostasis in the body following infection by the human immunodeficiency virus. The composition and size of CD4+ T-cells after infection is discussed.

Homeostasis

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