Glycoforms of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein in sera of human immunodeficiency virus-infected persons.

Abstract

In acute infections thus far studied, there is a relative increase in plasma protein glycoforms rich in biantennary complex type N-glycans (type I), while in some diseases with chronic inflammatory changes, there is increase in glycoforms with more branched N-glycans (type II). In sera of 109 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons, 38 rheumatoid arthritis patients, and 44 healthy subjects, the composition of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) glycoforms was studied using crossed immunoaffinity electrophoresis with concanavalin A as a ligand. In patients in CDC classifications I, II, and III, distribution of AGP glycoforms was analogous to that in normal subjects. Type I alterations were observed in patients in group IV who had no signs of arthritis. Type II changes, analogous to those found in rheumatoid arthritis, were seen in group IV patients who developed arthritis. Most significant type I changes were associated with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (specificity, 100%; sensitivity, 96%).