Isolated polypeptides based on the neutralizing epitope of the p17 protein from HIV suitable for vaccines as well as neutralizing anti-p17 antibodies that specifically recognize said neutralizing epitope

摘要

New isolated polypeptides of the protein p17 of HIV are described, represented by the formula: NH2-X1-Gly-X2-X3-Leu-Asp-X4-Trp-Glu-X5-Ile-X6-Leu-Arg-COOH (SEQ ID NO:1) in which X1 is an amino acid residue selected from Ser and Arg; X2 is an amino acid residue selected from Gly, Glu and Ser; X3 is an amino acid residue selected from Glu, Lys, Asp and Arg; X4 is an amino acid residue selected from Arg, Ala, Lys, Thr, Ser, Glu, Asp and Gln; X5 is an amino acid residue selected from Lys, Arg and Ser; and X6 is an amino acid residue selected from Arg and Gln. These polypeptides, when administered to a subject, are able to evoke anti-p17 neutralizing antibodies and are therefore useful as vaccine or inoculum. Monoclonal and polycolonal anti-p17 antibodies which are able to neutralize the biological activity of this viral protein and to recognize its neutralization epitope in a specific manner are also described.