Human retroviral env and gag polypeptides: serologic assays to measure infection.

摘要: Humoral antiviral responses to human retrovirus infections identify persistently infected individuals and can be used characterize virus-host interactions. Antibodies native viral polypeptides have been reliably measured, although quantitation of env antibodies is difficult due a lack purified antigens. To quantitate antigens, bacterially expressed cloned from the transmembrane regions T lymphotropic virus types I III were applied nitrocellulose filters in an immunodot assay. A combination sensitivity Western blot procedure specificity peptides defined sequences was detect 49/49 HTLV-III/LAV-infected previously as seropositive by radioimmunoprecipitation sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Of these HTLV-III/LAV envelope people, 22% lacked antibody p24 radioimmunoassay. In contrast, detection HTLV-I antigens comparable. not cross-reactive. Levels both persisted without change for at least 26 mo, suggesting that most represent stable The use offers rapid serologic approach distinguishing retroviral define immune specific genome.