Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
10970425 | Vaccine | 2008 | 7 Pages |
Abstract
Due to ongoing recombination and mutations, HIV permanently escapes from neutralizing antibody (nAb) responses of the host. By the masking of epitopes or shedding of gp120, HIV-1 further impedes an efficient neutralization by Abs. Therefore, nAbs responses of the host are chasing behind a rapidly evolving virus and mainly non-neutralizing antibodies (non-nAbs) are present in the host. At the same time, complement deposition on immune-complexed HIV may counteract the immune response by enhancing the infection. On the other hand, complement-mediated lysis is a putative effector mechanism to control viral replication. Here we review the complex interplay between complement, neutralizing and non-neutralizing Abs during HIV infection and discuss the contribution of Abs and complement in blocking versus enhancing the course of infection.
Keywords
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Immunology
Authors
Heribert Stoiber, Anna Soederholm, Doris Wilflingseder, Simone Gusenbauer, Alexander Hildgartner, Manfred P. Dierich,