Identification of HIV-specific oligoclonal immunoglobulins in serum of carriers of HIV antibody.

Zone electrophoresis on agarose gel was performed on serum samples from HIV-antibody carriers and negative controls. Nitrocellulose strips precoated with an HIV preparation were then placed on top of the gels and developed by an immunoblotting procedure. A positive reaction was demonstrated between the HIV antigens and the HIV-antibody-positive serum samples with hypergammaglobulinemia and oligoclonal IgG bands. A negative reaction was found between the HIV antigens and HIV-antibody-negative serum samples from a normal person and a patient with monoclonal gammopathy. The presence of oligoclonal IgG bands in the serum of HIV-antibody carriers, and their positive identification with HIV antigens, indicates a specific immune response of the host to the HIV infection and supports the use of oligoclonal IgG bands as markers to follow the course of HIV infection.