Document 1051
 DOCN  M94A1051
 TI    Variation and shift of HIV-1 env found in IDUs of Dehong epidemic-area
       in China.
 DT    9412
 AU    Shao YM; Wang B; Zeng Y; Hell W; Wolf H; Institute of Virology, Beijing.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(2):22 (abstract no. 380A). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94371524
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To investigate the genetic diversity and change of HIV-1
       strains in China's only HIV epidemic region, where about 70% of the
       country's total HIV infections were detected from the local injecting
       drug users (IDUs). METHODS: Blood samples were collected from HIV
       infected IDUs, 30 in 1990 and 50 in 1993. Viruses were isolated by PMCs
       coculture method. HIV-1 env genes were amplified by PCR from both
       cultured and uncultured PMCs and cloned. Sequencing was performed both
       manually and by using an automatic DNA sequencer (ABI, A373). RESULTS:
       HIV-1 subtype B like viruses were found in most of the uncultured PMCs
       samples in compression of their env V3 to V5 region with the HIV-1 env A
       to E subtypes. It is in agreement with our former report that the HIV
       infected persons predominantly reacted to V3 peptide of North American
       HIV-1 strains (MN 82%, SF2 71%) and much less to that of other regions.
       The typical subtype B variants (all with a GPGR V3-tip tetrapeptide)
       constituted 8 of 10 samples (80%) in 1990, but only 12 of 21 samples
       (57%) in 1993. The proportion of subtype B/Thai genotype B (all with a
       consensus GPGQ motif) increased from 10% (1 of 10) in 1990 to 29% (6 of
       21) in 1993. Among the samples with GPGR V3-tip, the ratio for the
       terminal arginine codon AGA to CGA also increased from 1:7 in 1990 to
       5:7 in 1993. In culture, all viruses isolated from 1990 samples could
       infect only PMCs with low titre and caused cell killing without
       syncytium formation. Whereas in 1993 culturing, one isolate grew to high
       titres in PMCs and in T cell lines. It could also cause syncysium
       formation in Jurkat cells but not in PMCs, MT4 and H9 cells. DISCUSSION
       AND CONCLUSIONS: The HIV-strains causing epidemic among IDUs in Dehong
       region are in the env subtype B group. The sequence data suggested a
       shift from GPGR to GPGQ on the V3-loop tip of local HIV-1 strains with
       time. Because CGA is more close to the codon CAA of glutamine than AGA,
       the proportion of Thai genotype B viruses in this region might further
       increase in future. No definite conclusion could be drawn from the
       isolate of 1993 with more infectious properties, for the culturing
       condition was not identical in both cases. Further studies on follow-up
       samples and samples before, during and after culturing are progressing,
       focusing on env as well as other HIV 1 genes.
 DE    Amino Acid Sequence  China/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Comorbidity  Comparative Study
       *Genes, env  HIV Envelope Protein gp120/GENETICS  HIV
       Infections/EPIDEMIOLOGY/*MICROBIOLOGY
       HIV-1/CLASSIFICATION/*GENETICS/ISOLATION & PURIF  Molecular Sequence
       Data  Peptide Fragments/GENETICS  Substance Abuse,
       Intravenous/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Time Factors  Variation (Genetics)  MEETING
       ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).