Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 V1-V2 envelope loop sequences expand and add glycosylation sites over the course of infection, and these modifications affect antibody neutralization sensitivity.

ABSTRACT: Over the course of infection, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) continuously adapts to evade the evolving host neutralizing antibody responses. Changes in the envelope variable loop sequences, particularly the extent of glycosylation, have been implicated in antibody escape. To document modifications that potentially influence antibody susceptibility, we compared envelope variable loops 1 and 2 (V1-V2) from multiple sequences isolated at the primary phase of infection to those isolated around 2 to 3 years into the chronic phase of infection in nine women with HIV-1 subtype A. HIV-1 sequences isolated during chronic infection had significantly longer V1-V2 loops, with a significantly higher number of potential N-linked glycosylation sites, than the sequences isolated early in infe

SUBMITTER: Sagar M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1617272 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature