Use of CD4/GP120 Interactions in the Development of Anti-HIV Drugs and Vaccines

摘要

The HIV envelope protein, gp120 binds to the CD4 cell surface protein and therebythe virus enters T4 helper lymphocytes. This process of virus entry might be associated with the presentation of unique epitopes of the gp120 that become revealed only as a result of virus binding to its target cell. The purpose of this research has been to identify cryptic epitopes that become accessible due to induced conformational changes that result from that complex formation of gp120 with CD4. Thus CD4/gp120 complexes have been used to immunize mice and monoclonal antibodies have been generated. At least 7 antibodies have been identified as having preferred affinity for the above complex. These antibodies are now being characterized. They represent 3 distinct epitopes as has been determined by competitive ELISA assays. Moreover, using a syncytium assay they have been evaluated for their neutralizing activity. AIDS, HIV, Epitopes, Biotechnology, Vaccines, RAI.