Correlation between seroreactivity to HIV-1 V3 loop peptides and male-to-female heterosexual transmission.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the correlation between seroreactivity to peptides corresponding to the V3 loop of the major envelope glycoprotein from different HIV-1 strains and the risk of heterosexual HIV-1 transmission.

METHODS

Sera from 39 infected individuals (16 transmitters and 23 non-transmitters) were tested for reactivity against synthetic peptides representing sequences of the V3 loop apex from HIV-1 strains MN, SC, WMJ2, RF and IIIB.

RESULTS

A skewed distribution in seroreactivity to RF and IIIB peptides was observed between the two groups: reactivity was more prevalent in sera from non-transmitting than from transmitting individuals. Reactivity to the MN, SC and WMJ2 peptides was very frequent and there were no differences between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that antibodies reactive with a larger set of V3 apex peptides (i.e., cross-reactive antibodies) could play a role in the prevention of heterosexual transmission.