LYMPHADENOPATHY/AIDS VIRUS: THE PROTOTYPE HUMAN LENTIVIRUS

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1989. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

LYMPHADENOPATHY/AIDS VIRUS: THE PROTOTYPE HUMAN LENTIVIRUS

AIDS: Modern Concepts and Therapeutic Challenges. Broder S, ed. New York, Marcel Dekker, p. 23-37, 1987.. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/89650436
Wain-Hobson S; Sonigo P; Alizon M; Montagnier L; Unite de Recombinaison et Expression Genetique, Institut Pasteur,; Paris, France

Abstract: The virology of lymphadenopathy/human T-lymphotropic virus (LAV/HTLV-III) and the relationship of this virus to the animal lentiviruses are reviewed, including the elements making up the viral genome, evidence that the AIDS virus is a lentivirus, relevance of visna to AIDS, and prospects of handling lentiviral diseases (env variation, antiviral therapy, and vaccination). Lentiviral infection in animals is associated with many pathologies: CNS and lung infection (visna group), arthritis and encephalitis (caprine arthritis and encephalitis virus), and blood cell infection (equine infectious anemia virus). Lentiviruses are not associated with any neoplasms to date. LAV is the first described human lentivirus; there could also be a lentiviral etiology for some human neurological, pulmonary, hematological, or arthritic disorders. In this sense, acquisition of the T4 tropism by the highly variable envelope protein of an ancestral lentivirus could explain the recent appearance of AIDS. Visna is the prototype lentivirus. Both the AIDS and visna viruses induce cytopathic effects in vitro, induce slow progressive diseases in vivo, and have a similar morphology. Both have at least three gag proteins and very large, highly glycosylated envelope proteins. Although viruses of the visna group are not immunosuppressive, they may nonetheless be relevant to AIDS--first as a nonprimate model in which the neurological complications of the disease can be studied and second as a model of latent infection of leukocytes. (63 Refs)

Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*GENETICS Animal AIDS-Related Complex/*GENETICS Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral Gene Expression Regulation Genes, Viral Human HIV/*GENETICS HTLV-I/GENETICS HTLV-II/GENETICS Pneumonia, Progressive Interstitial, of Sheep/GENETICS RNA, Viral/GENETICS Sheep Visna-Maedi Virus/*GENETICS MONOGRAPH REVIEW REVIEW, TUTORIAL

890530
M8950702

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gill Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1989. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1989. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .