LACK OF IN-VITRO ANTI-GP160 ANTIBODY-PRODUCTION IS A CORRELATE OF NONPROGRESSION AMONG HIV TYPE 1-INFECTED INDIVIDUALS

The aim of our study was to investigate the possible correlation of in vitro antibody production (IVAP) directed to the gp160 protein of HIV -1 with CD4(+) slopes, plasma viremia, and disease progression in long -term nonprogressors (LTNPs). Nineteen subjects with a long-term nonpr ogressive HIV-1 infection were studied and followed for 2 years, Durin g the follow-up, in vitro anti-gp160 producers showed negative CD4(+) slopes in the majority of cases (9 of 12), whereas 5 of 7 nonproducers showed positive CD4(+) slopes. Plasma viremia values, which were not significantly different in the two groups at baseline, became signific antly higher in anti-gp160 producers when compared with nonproducers d uring the follow-up (p = 0.012). Finally, a trend toward progression w as observed in the group of producers but not in nonproducers, These f indings suggest that the in vitro production of anti-gp160 antibodies by peripheral B cells is not a correlate of protection, and may repres ent an early predictor of progression in LTNPs.