SELECTIVE DEPLETION IN HIV-INFECTION OF T-CELLS THAT BEAR SPECIFIC T-CELL RECEPTOR-V-BETA SEQUENCES

The mechanism of T cell depletion during infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is unclear. Examination of the repertoire of T cell receptor V (variable) regions m persons infected with HIV revealed the absence of a common set of V-beta-regions, whereas V-alpha usage was normal. The lack of these V-beta-segments did not appear to correlate with opportunistic infections. The selective elimination of T cells that express a defined set of V-beta-sequences may indicate the presence of an HIV-encoded superantigen, similar to those encoded by the long terminal repeat of the mouse mammary tumor virus.