Presence of class II histocompatibility DR proteins on the envelope of human immunodeficiency virus demonstrated by FACS analysis.

Depending on the cell line used for virus propagation, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) particles may possess class II MHC proteins, as demonstrated by FACS analysis. HLA-DR appeared in high amounts at the HIV envelope, if the virus was grown in HLA-DR+ cells, but was absent if the virus had been grown in HLA-DR- cells. No other cellular constituents, including HLA-DQ and HLA-DP, were detected in these virions. The presence of HLA-DR in the virion envelope itself in preparations used for diagnostic purposes may explain some of the false-positive results obtained in earlier serological tests for HIV infection. Possible implications of these virus-associated cellular antigens in the immunopathogenesis of AIDS should be considered.