AN HIV-1 INFECTION-RELATED IDIOTYPE CLONOTYPE (1F7) IS EXPRESSED ON ANTIBODIES DIRECTED TO ENVELOPE GLYCOPROTEIN IN SIMIAN IMMUNODEFICIENCYVIRUS-INFECTED RHESUS-MONKEYS AND CHIMERIC SIMIAN/HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS-INFECTED RHESUS-MONKEYS/

An antiidiotypic/clonotypic marker, designated 1F7, is restricted to a ntibodies directed to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) enve lope, core, and reverse transcriptase proteins, 1F7-Id is shared by mo re than 70% of HIV-infected individuals, arising early and persisting throughout all disease stages. To study the specificity and biological function of this cross-reactive idiotypic marker, and to explore its potential in therapeutics, we have sought an appropriate animal model, 1F7-Id+ antiviral antibodies are found among experimentally HIV-1(III B)-infected chimpanzees; however, these rare and expensive animals do not develop acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and so are not an appropriate model, We now report the presence in rhesus monkeys of 1F7-Id on antibodies to the external envelope glycoproteins of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), This may be surprising, in view of the g enetic and serologic differences between SIV and HIV-1, but is in acco rd with the occurrence of 1F7-Id on antibodies reacting with a broad r ange of HIV-1 strains. We also found 1F7-Id on anti-gp120 antibodies i n rhesus monkeys infected with chimeric immunodeficiency viruses (SHIV ) expressing the env, tat, and rev genes of HIV-1 on a backbone of SIV . Both SIV and SHIV cause AIDS in these monkeys, Thus, SIV- and SHIV-i nfected rhesus monkeys are suitable models for exploring the role of 1 F7 in AIDS pathogenesis and prevention. Experiments are underway using MAb 1F7 to test the hypothesis of deceptive imprinting in AIDS.