Mechanism of Cytotoxicity of the AIDS Virus, HTLV-III/LAV

Abstract

Understanding the mechanism of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 replication and cytopathicity is critical to determining the pathogenesis and treatment of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and associated diseases. Studies of related viruses, simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and HIV-2, complement these studies and allow additional animal model systems for testing hypotheses. We have studied three aspect of HIV pathogenesis. First, a mutagenic analysis of HIV-1, SIV, and HIV-2 genes (including gag, env, vif, vpr, nef, and vpx) has been performed to decifer their role in replication and cytopathic activity. Second, immunopathogenetic consequences have been studied with respect to the characterization of a lymphotoxin-like molecule which is secreted by HIV-1 infected cells. Third, the structure and function of HIV-1 env variation has been studied in a clustered outbreak of HIV-1 to elucidate the role of envelope alteration in immune evasion and tissue tropism.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1990
Accession Number
ADA235024

Entities

People

  • Lee Ratner

Organizations

  • Washington University in St. Louis

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
  • Amino Acids
  • Blood
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Physiological Processes
  • Cells
  • Chemistry
  • Fatty Acids
  • Genetic Code
  • Genetic Structures
  • Hiv Infections
  • Immune System
  • Medical Personnel
  • Molecules
  • Proteins
  • Virion
  • Viruses

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Virology (or Medical Virology).