Pattern of gp120 sequence divergence linked to a lack of clinical progression in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection

摘要

Differential rates of AIDS development and/or T4 lymphocyte depletion in HIV-1-infected individuals remain unexplained. The hypothesis that qualitative differ- nces in selection pressure in vivo may account for different rates of disease progression was addressed in nine eligible study participants from a cohort of 315 homosexual men who have been followed since 1985. Disproportionately fewer changes in variable regions and more in C3 of gp120 were found to be significantly associated with slower disease pro- ression.