Human monoclonal antibodies directed against the transmembrane glycoprotein (gp41) of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1)

摘要

A method for neutralizing HIV-1 is disclosed. A preferred embodiment utilizes a novel human monoclonal antibody that binds to a conserved region of the gp41 transmembrane subunit of the virus. The antibody is produced by continuous cell lines developed using human B lymphocyte cells collected from a patient possessing high titers of anti-HIV antibodies. The conserved region bound by the neutralizing antibody is a peptide of approximately 12 amino acids in length and preferably 8-10 amino acids. Similar regions on HIV-2 and SIV are also disclosed. The present invention is further directed to a kit and a method for detecting the presence and determining concentration of an antibody that inhibits HIV-1fusion-associated epitope, a peptide on gp41 with the amino acid sequence represented by GCSGKLIC. The detection and quantitation method includes an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The determination of the concentration of the antibody that inhibits HIV-1 fusion-associated epitope on gp41, present in body fluids of a patient seropositive for HIV-1 antibodies, provides the physician with an objective means to form a prognosis for each individual case and assists the clinician therefore in determining the appropriateness to initiate medical intervention or change therapy.