Here, we sequenced the gp120 coding region of nine full-length dual-tropic (R5X4) env genes cloned directly from autopsy brain and spleen tissue from an AIDS patient with severe HAD.
A chimeric simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV-4) containing the tat, rev, vpu, and env genes of HIV type 1 (HIV-1) in a genetic background of SIVmac239 was used to develop an animal model in which a primate lentivirus expressing the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein caused acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in macaques.
Follicular dendritic cells (FDC) from axillary lymphoid tissue of a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) were analyzed for the presence of gag and env proteins and env mRNA of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1), both in a purified FDC suspension and on frozen sections.
The final preparation of gag and gag/env proteins in 8 M urea reacted with sheep anti-HTLV-III p24 gag antibodies and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patient sera.
All polypeptides containing the ENV(80) sequences were strongly reactive with antibodies present in sera from AIDS virus-infected individuals, but not with control sera.
Within the AIDS virus env gene, the surface glycoprotein region is more liable to vary than is the transmembrane region; unexpectedly, however, this liability is not a characteristic feature of the AIDS virus because it is more prominent in other retroviruses including members of the HTLV/BLV family.