Abstract
The immune defects characterizing infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and culminating in the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are the result of a multifactorial disease process, components of which are the occurrence of autoimmune phenomena and opportunistic infection. In this discussion, the observation that both the HIV-1 gp 120 envelope and Mycoplasma genitalium adhesin proteins share an area of significant similarity with the CD4-binding site of the class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins is placed in this perspective and mechanisms by which interaction within this triad could contribute to the T-cell dysfunction, T-cell depletion, Th1-cell-->Th2-cell shift, B-cell proliferation, hyperglobulinemia and antigen-presenting cell dysfunction observed during the development of AIDS are proposed.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / etiology*
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Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology
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Adhesins, Bacterial*
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Antibodies, Bacterial / immunology
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Antibody Specificity
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Autoantibodies / immunology
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Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
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Autoimmunity*
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Bacterial Proteins / immunology*
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Gene Products, env / chemistry
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Graft vs Host Disease / immunology
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HIV Antibodies / immunology
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HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / immunology*
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HIV Infections / complications
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HIV Infections / immunology
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HIV-1 / genetics
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HIV-1 / immunology*
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HLA-D Antigens / immunology*
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Humans
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Models, Immunological*
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Molecular Mimicry*
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Mycoplasma / immunology*
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Mycoplasma Infections / complications*
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Mycoplasma Infections / immunology
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Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
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Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / genetics
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Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / immunology
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T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
Substances
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Adhesins, Bacterial
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Antibodies, Bacterial
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Autoantibodies
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Bacterial Proteins
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Gene Products, env
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HIV Antibodies
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HIV Envelope Protein gp120
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HLA-D Antigens
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adhesin, Mycoplasma genitalium