HIV-induced, HIV-specific in vitro antibody response by B-cells from HIV-seropositive individuals

Recent studies have shown that B-cells from HIV-infected patients can secrete anti-HIV antibodies in vitro and that they represent 20-40% of immunoglobulin (Ig)-secreting B-cells in vivo. This study was designed to investigate the precise role of HIV in this in vitro antibody production.

B-cells from HIV-infected patients [asymptomatic, n = 28; symptomatic (AIDS), n = 14], from seronegative adult volunteers (n = 22) and subjects at high risk for HIV infection (n = 15) were cultured in vitro in the presence of pokeweed mitogen, Staphylococcus aureus cowan or HIV, and T-cells or interleukins (IL). Non-specific Ig production and specific anti-HIV antibody (Ab) production were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent and Western blot assays.

We found that HIV induced a specific response in cultured B-cells from seropositive patients, in contrast with cultured B-cells from uninfected normal individuals. The characteristics of the HIV-induced response differed from those of a spontaneous or a mitogen-induced response. Anti-HIV Ab production was optimal on day 8-10, when B-cells were cultured with recombinant IL-2 and recombinant interferon-alpha in the presence of infectious virus or recombinant gp160 Env protein. The anti-HIV Ab were mainly directed against Env proteins. Interaction of HIV with B-cells involved surface IgG but not CD4 antigen. Autologous CD8+ T-cells had a non-specific inhibitory effect. Both CD5+ and CD5- B-cells produced anti-HIV Ab. No anti-HIV Ab production was observed in B-cells from high-risk HIV-seronegative individuals.

HIV (infectious virus or gp160) can induce B-cells from infected patients to secrete specific anti-HIV Ab in vitro.