Heterogeneity of the Epitopes of CD4 in Patients Infected with HIV

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
To the Editor: The number of helper-inducer (CD4) lymphocytes is an important characteristic of the classification,1 prognosis,2 3 4 and response to treatment5 of persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Heterogeneity of the epitopes that define the CD4 molecule has been described in certain ethnic groups, with an absence or partial deficiency of the OKT4 epitope found in small numbers of blacks,6 , 7 Asians,8 and in one case report, a white.9 Familial studies of this heterogeneity involving two patients with Graves' disease,8 two with systemic lupus erythematosus,10 and three healthy persons7 , 11 clearly indicate that this polymorphism involving CD4 is inherited as . . .