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. 1992 May 1;175(5):1247–1253. doi: 10.1084/jem.175.5.1247

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Tat-reactive antibodies present in normal HIV-negative sera and depleted in HIV-positive sera. Identification of the epitope

PMCID: PMC2119208  PMID: 1373758

Abstract

We have detected, in sera of normal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)- free subjects, IgM antibodies reactive with the Tat protein of HIV in significant titers and at very high frequency, and, in HIV-positive sera, progressively lower titers as HIV pathogenesis ensues. Epitope analysis indicates that the Tat-reactive antibodies of both HIV- negative and HIV-positive sera are homologous, suggesting, therefore, that their decline in HIV-positive sera may represent attrition of a host defense factor. The identified epitope displays minimal homology with that previously defined for another set of IgM antibodies shown to be present in normal sera, deficient in HIV-positive sera, and postulated to be natural antibodies. We propose that the Tat-reactive antibodies, as well, are a set of natural antibodies and that the normal humoral immune system includes a repertoire of antibodies, nonimmunogenic in origin, that contribute to immune homeostasis and, consequently, to host resistance to HIV pathogenesis.

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Selected References

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