       Document 0531
 DOCN  M9610531
 TI    The HIV glycoprotein gp 160 has superantigen-like properties.
 DT    9601
 AU    Akolkar PN; Gulwani-Akolkar B; Chirmule N; Pahwa S; Kalyanaraman VS;
       Pergolizzi R; Macphail S; Silver J; Department of Medicine, North Shore
       University Hospital/Cornell; University Medical College, Manhasset, New
       York 11030, USA.
 SO    Clin Immunol Immunopathol. 1995 Sep;76(3 Pt 1):255-65. Unique Identifier
       : AIDSLINE MED/96016027
 AB    HIV infection is characterized by paralysis of the immune system and a
       depletion of CD4+ cells. Recent studies demonstrating modulation of the
       V beta T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire in HIV patients have suggested
       that some of these effects may be the result of action by one or more
       superantigens encoded by the virus. In order to determine whether the
       HIV envelope glycoprotein, gp160, displays properties reminiscent of a
       superantigen, the T cell receptor V beta repertoire of T cells from
       healthy, seronegative individuals activated in vitro with gp160 was
       determined. In five individuals of disparate HLA type, activation by
       gp160 resulted in a marked skewing in the relative expression of a
       common set of V beta gene segments. This activation was HLA class
       II-dependent and did not require antigen processing. Surprisingly, the V
       beta segments affected by gp160 bore a striking similarity to those
       affected by the staphylococcal superantigen SEB. These observations
       suggest that exposure to superantigens produced by opportunistic
       infection might play an important role in disease progression.
 DE    Base Sequence  Enterotoxins/IMMUNOLOGY  Gene Products, env/*IMMUNOLOGY
       Human  HIV Envelope Protein gp120/IMMUNOLOGY  Molecular Sequence Data
       Protein Precursors/*IMMUNOLOGY  Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell,
       alpha-beta/IMMUNOLOGY  Staphylococcus aureus/IMMUNOLOGY
       Superantigens/*IMMUNOLOGY  Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
       T-Lymphocytes/IMMUNOLOGY  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

