BIOLOGY OF HUMAN T CELL LEUKEMIA VIRUSES IN IMMUNOSUPPRESSION AND AIDS

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1986. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

BIOLOGY OF HUMAN T CELL LEUKEMIA VIRUSES IN IMMUNOSUPPRESSION AND AIDS

Dev Oncol; 28:218-31 1985. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/86621737
Essex M; Dept. of Microbiology, Harvard Sch. of Public Health, Boston, MA; 02115

Abstract: Human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV) biology is reviewed, including transmission and distribution of HTLVs, immunogenicity of HTLV proteins, and the association of HTLV and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Induction of both leukemias and immunosuppression by retroviruses has been most thoroughly documented in the case of feline leukemia virus (FeLV), which has been determined to cause more deaths in cats by immunosuppression than by leukemia induction. The HTLVs are a logical group of viruses to contain an AIDS-inducing variant because these agents are particularly tropic for T helper cells, they are transmitted by the same general mechanisms that appeared compatible with the epidemiology of AIDS, and they are associated with increased risk of development of various infectious diseases. The most immunogenic proteins of HTLV are those encoded by the env gene, eg, gp61 and gp45 for HTLV-I and gp67 and gp52 for HTLV-II. Sera from AIDS patients (pts) infected with HTLV-III also react with HTLV type I and/or II glycoproteins when present in high titer. A new protein, designated p42, is associated with immortalization in the case of HTLV-I and at least partially encoded by the LOR gene in the 'X' region of the virus. Antibodies to HTLV-III can be detected in 90-100% of the pts with AIDS and AIDS-related complex (ARC), and in 30-40% of healthy homosexuals. AIDS and ARC pts' sera recognize the virus glycoproteins as the most immunogenic species, whereas the major core protein, p24, is significantly less immunogenic in people naturally exposed to HTLV-III. (46 Refs)

Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*IMMUNOLOGY/MICROBIOLOGY/ TRANSMISSION Antibodies, Viral/ANALYSIS Antigenic Determinants/IMMUNOLOGY Antigens, Viral/IMMUNOLOGY Glycoproteins/IMMUNOLOGY Human HTLV-BLV Viruses/IMMUNOLOGY Immune Tolerance Leukemia/IMMUNOLOGY Retroviridae Infections/*IMMUNOLOGY/MICROBIOLOGY/TRANSMISSION MEETING PAPER

861130
M86B0251

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