ANOMALIES IN NEF EXPRESSION WITHIN THE CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM OF HIV-1 POSITIVE INDIVIDUALS AIDS PATIENTS WITH OR WITHOUT AIDS DEMENTIA COMPLEX

In determining levels of expression of HIV-1 Nef protein within the ce ntral nervous system (CNS) we assessed antibody responses to the prote in both peripherally and in CNS. Antibodies to Nef were not detected w ithin the CNS despite detection of antibodies to both gp41 and Nef in peripheral blood and representative virus isolates derived from CNS an d peripheral blood (PB) samples containing fall length nef sequence an d virus-infected cells expressing Nef protein. We conclude from this t hat expression of Nef within the CNS is such that Little or no antibod y production occurs and that these differences indicate that Nef prote in may not be directly contributing to the AIDS dementia complex. Expr ession of Nef protein in PHA-activated peripheral blood mononuclear ce lls from CNS derived isolates was different to that of coincidental PB derived isolates in that partial surface expression was observed for the latter. The results suggest that antigenic presentation of Nef wit hin the CNS is anomalous and that Nef protein expression, at least for the limited number of in vitro derived isolates tested, has a differe nt localization pattern.