HIV infection

In HIV, Antibody Prohibits Natural Immune Response

In certain individuals with HIV, immunoglobin G3 (IgG3) prohibits B cells’ normal function, according to a new study supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).1

 

“This phenomenon appears to be one way the body tries to reduce the potentially damaging effects of immune-system hyperactivity caused by the presence of HIV, according to the investigators, but in so doing, it also impairs normal immune function,” the NIH said in a press release.2

 

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This novel finding comes after NIH researchers examined blood samples from 83 HIV-uninfected donors and 108 individuals with HIV at various stages of infection. Some HIV-positive individuals were taking treatment for their infection.

 

Results showed that IgG3 had only appeared on the B cells of individuals with HIV. Individuals of black African decent during the chronic phase of untreated HIV had the highest risk for B cell prohibition.

 

In addition, when infected individuals started treatment to control HIV, IgG3 stopped binding to B-cell receptors.

 

“Secreted IgG3 was bound to IgM-expressing B cells in vivo in HIV-infected chronically viremic individuals but not in early-viremic or aviremic individuals,” the researchers write.1

 

“Notably, IgG3-bound TLM B cells were refractory to IgM-BCR stimulation, thus demonstrating that IgG3 can regulate B cells during chronic activation of the immune system.”

 

—Amanda Balbi

 

References:

  1. Kardava L, Sohn H, Youn C, et al. IgG3 regulates tissue-like memory B cells in HIV-infected individuals [published August 13, 2018]. Nature Immunol. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41590-018-0180-5.
  2. During HIV infection, antibody can block B cells from fighting pathogens [press release]. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health; August 13, 2018. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/during-hiv-infection-antibody-can-block-b-cells-fighting-pathogens. Accessed August 13, 2018.