Extensive viral mimicry of 22 AIDS related autoantigens by HIV-1 proteins and pathway analysis of 561 viral/human homologues suggest an initial treatable autoimmune component of AIDS.

The autoantibodies seen in HIV-1/AIDS target many members of the immune network and the autoantigens are homologous to viral proteins: Antibodies raised to the virus may target the immune system because of this mimicry.
Genes and other pathogens affecting the progression of AIDS