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Nonrandom association of cellular antigens with HTLV-III virions
Retroviruses are known to incorporate cellular antigens as they bud from infected cells. To identify the cellular antigens that associate with the AIDS-retrovirus, we evaluated a preparation of HTLV-III antigens with a panel of monoclonal antibodies reactive with a variety of antigens expressed on the H9 T-cell line used to produce the virus. Only monoclonal antibodies that identified HLA class-II antigens, beta-2 microglobulin, and a single anti-HLA class-I antibody were reactive in an ELISA of solubilized HTLV-III virus. No reactivity was seen with 11 monoclonal antibodies to T-cell antigens or with five antibodies to determinants on HLA class-I A or B molecules. These data suggest that on H9 cells the association of budding HTLV-III virions with cellular antigens may be a nonrandom process in which some HLA antigens, particularly class-II antigens, are selectively incorporated into the viral envelope. It is possible that a selective association of HLA class II antigens with budding HTLV-III virions may also occur for T cells infected in vivo, and could have relevance for the pathogenesis of this virus.
Retroviruses are known to incorporate cellular antigens as they bud from infected cells. To identify the cellular antigens that associate with the AIDS-retrovirus, we evaluated a preparation of HTLV-III antigens with a panel of monoclonal antibodies reactive with a variety of antigens expressed on the H9 T-cell line used to produce the virus. Only monoclonal antibodies that identified HLA class-II antigens, beta-2 microglobulin, and a single anti-HLA class-I antibody were reactive in an ELISA of solubilized HTLV-III virus. No reactivity was seen with 11 monoclonal antibodies to T-cell antigens or with five antibodies to determinants on HLA class-I A or B molecules. These data suggest that on H9 cells the association of budding HTLV-III virions with cellular antigens may be a nonrandom process in which some HLA antigens, particularly class-II antigens, are selectively incorporated into the viral envelope. It is possible that a selective association of HLA class II antigens with budding HTLV-III virions may also occur for T cells infected in vivo, and could have relevance for the pathogenesis of this virus.