THE HIV GLYCOPROTEIN GP160 HAS SUPERANTIGEN-LIKE PROPERTIES

HIV infection is characterized by paralysis of the immune system and a depletion of CD4(+) cells, Recent studies demonstrating modulation of the V beta T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire in HIV patients have sugg ested that some of these effects may be the result of action by one or more superantigens encoded by the virus, In order to determine whethe r the HIV envelope glycoprotein, gp160, displays properties reminiscen t of a superantigen, the T cell receptor V beta repertoire of T cells from healthy, seronegative individuals activated in vitro with gp160 w as determined. In five individuals of disparate HLA type, activation b y gp160 resulted in a marked skewing in the relative expression of a c ommon set of V beta gene segments. This activation was HLA class II-de pendent and did not require antigen processing. Surprisingly, the V be ta segments affected by gp160 bore a striking similarity to those affe cted by the staphylococcal superantigen SEB. These observations sugges t that exposure to superantigens produced by opportunistic infection m ight play an important role in disease progression. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.