Correlation between susceptibility of primary HIV-1 isolates to autologous and heterologous neutralizing antibodies

• Published in: AIDS (London) Vol. 11; no. 8; pp. 969 - 975
• Main Authors: BONGERTZ, V, COSTA, C. I, SANTOS, V. G. V, JOAO FILHO, E. C, GALVAO-CASTRO, B, MORGADO, M. G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 01-07-1997
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; human immunodeficiency virus 1; Immunodeficiencies; Immunodeficiencies. Immunoglobulinopathies; Immunopathology; Medical sciences; Tropical medicine; Human; Immunopathology; HIV-1 virus; Antibody; Retroviridae; Autoantibody; AIDS; Immune deficiency; In vitro; Infection; Virus; Viral disease; Lentivirinae; Isolate; Human immunodeficiency virus; Heteroantibody; Neutralization
• ISSN: 0269-9370; 1473-5571
• DOI: 10.1097/00002030-199708000-00004

Objective: To study the susceptibility of primary HIV-1 isolates towards autologous and heterologous neutralizing antibodies (NAb). Design: Blood was collected and primary HIV-1 isolated from individuals residing in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in all phases of disease. Methods: Primary HIV-1 isolates were incubated with autologous or heterologous plasma and neutralization of infection of freshly pre-stimulated normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells was assayed in parallel to median infectious dose determinations in the absence of antibodies. Levels of HIV-1 p24 antigen were used for evaluation of viral neutralization. Results: Autologous neutralization (75%) was observed for 13 (52%) out of 25 of the primary HIV-1 isolates, and 15 (71%) out of 21 isolates were susceptible to 75% heterologous neutralization by at least one-half of the heterologous plasma tested. Primary HIV-1 isolates susceptible to autologous NAb showed a higher susceptibility towards neutralization by heterologous NAb than isolates that could not be neutralized by the autologous plasma (P = 0.049). The susceptibility of the primary HIV-1 isolates towards neutralization by heterologous NAb was significantly higher for isolates derived from men (P = 0.001), and for isolates obtained from individuals infected through homo-/bisexual risk behaviour in comparison with those infected through heterosexual HIV-1 transmission (P = 0.03). Conclusions: Susceptibility of primary HIV-1 isolates to autologous and heterologous neutralization was significantly correlated, indicating that escape mutants may become resistant not only to autologous but also to heterologous NAb.