Detection and characterization of circulating immune complexes in HIV-related diseases

Using an ultracentrifugation technique human immunosuppressive virus (HIV) (GP15 and GP41), anti-HIV (anti-GP15 and anti-GP41) immune complexes were detected in the sera of 3 (1 Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), 1 AIDS related complex (ARC), 1 Lymphadenopathy syndrome (LAS] out of 6 patients studied. Evidence for presence of HIV immune complexes was provided by: 1) demonstration of GP15 anti-GP15 and GP41 anti-GP41 immune complexes at neutral pH (pH 7.2); and 2) presence of free HIV antigen and specific HIV antibodies after dissociation of immune complex-like material with acid buffer. Formation of specific immune complexes in the sera of AIDS and ARC patients may be responsible for failure to detect free HIV antibodies in some of these patients.