Serological Analysis of a Subgroup of Human T-Lymphotropic Retroviruses (HTLV-III) Associated with AIDS

Abstract

The two main subgroups of the family of human T-lymphotropic retroviruses (HTLV) that have previously been characterized are known as HTLV-I and HTLV-II. Both are associated with certain human leukemias and lymphomas. Cell surface antigens (p61 and p65) encoded by HTLV-I are frequently recognized, at low titers, by antibodies in the serum of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or with signs or symptoms that precede AIDS (pre-AIDS). This suggests an involvement of HTLV in these disorders. Another subgroup of HTLV, designated HTLV-III, has now been isolated from many patients with AIDS and pre-AIDS. In the studies described in this report, virus-associated antigens in T-cell clones permanently producing HTLV-III were subjected to biochemical and immunological analyses. Antigens of HTLV-III, specifically detected by antibodies in serum from AIDS or pre-AIDS patients and revealed by the Western blot technique, are similar in size to those found in other subgroups of HTLV. They include at least three serologically unrelated antigenic groups, one of which is associated with group-specific antigens (p55 and P24) and another with envelope-related (p65) proteins, while the antigens in the third group are of unknown affiliation. The data show that HTLV-III is clearly distinguishable from HTLV-I and HTLV-II but is also significantly related to both viruses. HTLV-III is thus a true member of the HTLV family.

Viral Aetiology of Adult T-Cell Leukaemia

“…In 1984, Gallo and his co-workers isolated a new type of retrovirus called HTLV-III from blood of AIDS patients . Although no comparative studies have been reported, the two viruses are closely related if not identical Klatzmann et al, 1984;Kalyanaraman et al, 1984;Schupbach et al, 1984). These viruses resembled HTLV-I in some respects, particularly in biological activities.…”

Human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV-I) transcripts in fresh and cultured cells of patients with adult T-cell leukemia.

“…The HTLV-I subgroup is etiologically linked with adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATLL) (1), whereas HTLV-III is associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (2)(3)(4)(5). A distantly related human T-cell virus, designated HTLV-II, has been isolated from one patient with a T-cell variant of hairy cell leukemia (6)(7)(8) and from one intravenous drug user with AIDS (9).…”

The Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Family, Adult T Cell Leukemia, and AIDS

“…More than 90 isolates from this group of viruses have been obtained [11; P. Markham et aI., in preparation]. Based on morphology, biochemical properties of reverse transcriptase [33], antigenic determinants of env and gag proteins [44], and demonstration of distant but significant nucleic acid homology in the gag-pol region, this new virus is distantly related to H1L V-I and II, and has been designated H1LV-III. A more detailed characterization of H1LV-III is given by Wong-Staal et al (this volume).…”