HIV-1 antibody-debris or virion?

PWHI Parren, DR Burton, QJ Sattentau - 1997 - cabidigitallibrary.org
1997cabidigitallibrary.org
It is suggested that the antibody response to HIV-1 envelope proteins is not directed to virus
but instead directed to viral debris (nonnative forms of the HIV-1 envelope released by lysis
of infected cells or shedding from the viral surface). We have been misled into describing
this response as antiviral because the antibodies concerned react with envelope proteins in
non-physiological forms such as isolated recombinant proteins. However, their reactivity with
virions is weak. This is not to say that antibodies elicited to isolated envelope proteins …
Abstract
It is suggested that the antibody response to HIV-1 envelope proteins is not directed to virus but instead directed to viral debris (nonnative forms of the HIV-1 envelope released by lysis of infected cells or shedding from the viral surface). We have been misled into describing this response as antiviral because the antibodies concerned react with envelope proteins in non-physiological forms such as isolated recombinant proteins. However, their reactivity with virions is weak. This is not to say that antibodies elicited to isolated envelope proteins cannot bind to native envelope. It is suggested, however, that this binding is suboptimal, and this is in line with the observation that most human antibodies bind poorly to primary viruses, are weakly neutralizing and probably of limited efficacy in vivo.
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