SITE-DIRECTED SEROLOGY OF HIV-1 SUBTYPE-B INFECTION - RELATION BETWEEN VIRUS-SPECIFIC ANTIBODY-LEVELS AND DISEASE PROGRESSION

Activated T helper (Th) cell-dependent (TD) antibody responses were de termined over an 8-10 year period in 25 patients infected with HIV-1 s ubtype B. Twelve patients remain asymptomatic with normal CD4(+) cell counts for 101-114 months. These individuals were defined as long-term asymptomatic (LTA). Sixteen patients progressed to severe immunodefic iency within 58-120 months. In samples derived close to the diagnosis of HIV-I, CD4(+) cell counts were higher among the LTAs (P < 0.01). An tibody production driven by activated Th cells was determined using pe ptides corresponding to HIV-I V3US/Eur, gp41, and the hepatitis C viru s (HCV) core proteins. The less Th cell-dependent B cell antibody resp onse was represented by measles virus immunity. Close to HIV-1 diagnos is, variable third (V3), gp41, HCV core, and measles antibody titres w ere at similar levels among the LTAs and the progressors. With time th e LTAs displayed unchanged levels of V3 and gp41 antibodies, and sligh tly decreasing levels of HCV core antibodies (P < 0.05). In contrast. the progressors showed a decrease in all these antibody responses (P < 0.05, for all). In both groups, the levels of measles antibody remain ed stable. Our data show that no significant change of the antibody re sponses of LTAs is seen, even after 101-114 months of known HIV-I infe ction. Furthermore, the marked decrease of TD antibody production in t he progressors suggests that activated Th cells may be excellent targe ts for HIV-1 infection.