Cell-mediated immune response toward viral envelope and core antigens in gibbon apes (Hylobates lar) chronically infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1

• Published in: The Journal of immunology (1950) Vol. 141; no. 7; pp. 2467 - 2473
• Main Authors: Lusso, P, Markham, PD, Ranki, A, Earl, P, Moss, B, Dorner, F, Gallo, RC, Krohn, KJ
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD Am Assoc Immnol 01.10.1988; American Association of Immunologists
• Subjects: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - immunology; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - metabolism; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Chronic Disease; Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; Experimental viral diseases and models; HIV Antigens - immunology; HIV Antigens - isolation & purification; human immunodeficiency virus 1; Humans; Hylobates; Hylobates lar; Infectious diseases; Interleukin-2 - metabolism; Lymphocyte Activation; Medical sciences; Receptors, Interleukin-2 - analysis; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; T-Lymphocytes - metabolism; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic - immunology; Viral Core Proteins - immunology; Viral Core Proteins - isolation & purification; Viral diseases; Viral Envelope Proteins - immunology; Viral Envelope Proteins - isolation & purification; Cell proliferation; HIV-1 virus; Interleukin; Retroviridae; Cytotoxicity; Cellular immunity; Experimental animal; Infection; Virus; Vertebrata; Experimental disease; Mammalia; Hylobates lar; Viral disease; Primates; Simioidea; Human immunodeficiency virus; Virus envelope
• ISSN: 0022-1767; 1550-6606
• DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.141.7.2467

The specific cellular immune response toward envelope and core proteins of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) was investigated in gibbon apes chronically infected with the HTLV-IIIB isolate. After in vitro stimulation of PBMC from infected and control animals with HIV-1 Ag, DNA synthesis, IL-2R expression and IL-2 release were assayed. Cells from infected gibbon apes demonstrated a group-specific response toward whole virus preparations from three divergent HIV-1 isolates (HTLV-IIIB, HTLV-IIIRF, HTLV-IIIMN). Consistent responses were also detected against purified HIV-1 Ag, i.e., native gp120 envelope glycoprotein, recombinant gp160 glycoprotein, a synthetic peptide (peptide 7) representing a highly conserved region of gp120, and purified native core protein p24. In addition, lymphocytes from infected gibbon apes displayed a specific, MHC-restricted, cytotoxic activity against autologous cells expressing HIV-1 envelope or gag proteins. The specific T cell reactivity toward HIV-1 proteins observed in infected gibbons contrasts with findings in HIV-1 infected humans, and may help to explain the apparent discrepancy in the natural history of the infection between the two species.