| 摘要 |
<p>The present invention is directed to protamine-reactive, IgM antibodies which may be non-induced, natural antibodies. In a specific embodiment, the invention relates to a low affinity binding subset of protamine-reactive serum IgM antibodies which recognize a sequence comprising four arginyl residues, including a triplet, within a six amino acid residue sequence, methods and diagnostic kits thereof. This low affinity subset is detectable in sera of normal individuals and HIV-infected individuals who subsequently exhibit a significant period of latency, but are absent or deficient in sera of individuals diagnosed with AIDS and sera of HIV-infected individuals, who though asymptomatic at the time of sampling, proceed to AIDS within a relatively short time.</p> |
