Salivary detection of HIV-1 antibodies using recombinant HIV-1 peptides

Salivary antibodies may play a role in the absence of HIV-1 transmission by saliva. We evaluated the presence of salivary IgG antibodies to HIV-1 using a recombinant ELISA. Whole saliva was collected from 21 HIV-1-seropositive individuals and assayed in an ELISA, ASQ (Beckman Instruments, Brea, CA), consisting of a panel of six HIV-1 recombinant peptides. Saliva samples from 20 individuals demonstrated IgG to one or more peptides and 18 to two or more peptides. Samples from 20 seropositive individuals were reactive with the gp41 peptide, whereas only 12 were reactive with the two gp120 peptides. Nineteen of twenty salivas also had detectable IgG antibodies to HIV-1 by Western blotting. The results indicate that viral-specific IgG antibodies are present in the saliva of a high percentage of HIV-infected individuals and that a recombinant peptide ELISA for saliva might be useful for the detection of HIV-1 infection.     

Neutralizing antibodies decrease the envelope fluidity of HIV-1

For successful penetration of HIV-1, the formation of a fusion pore may be required in order to accumulate critical numbers of fusion-activated gp41 with the help of fluidization of the plasma membrane and viral envelope. An increase in temperature to 40 degrees C after viral adsorption at 25 degrees C enhanced the infectivity by 1.4-fold. The enhanced infectivity was inhibited by an anti-CXCR4 peptide, T140, and anti-V3 monoclonal antibodies (0.5beta and 694/98-D) by post-attachment neutralization, but not by non-neutralizing antibodies (670-30D and 246-D) specific for the C5 of gp120 and cluster I of gp41, respectively. Anti-HLA-II and an anti-HTLV-I gp46 antibody, LAT27, neutralized the molecule-carrying HIV-1(C-2(MT-2)). The anti-V3 antibodies suppressed the fluidity of the HIV-1(C-2) envelope, whereas the non-neutralizing antibodies did not. The anti-HLA-II antibody decreased the envelope fluidity of HIV-1(C-2(MT-2)), but not that of HIV-1(C-2). Therefore, fluidity suppression by these antibodies represents an important neutralization mechanism, in addition to inhibition of viral attachment.     

Cross-reactive monoclonal antibodies to multiple HIV-1 subtype and SIVcpz envelope glycoproteins

The extraordinarily high level of genetic variation of HIV-1 env genes poses a challenge to obtain antibodies that cross-react with multiple subtype Env glycoproteins. To determine if cross-reactive monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to highly conserved epitopes in HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins can be induced, we immunized mice with wild-type or consensus HIV-1 Env proteins and characterized a panel of ten mAbs that reacted with varying breadth to subtypes A, B, C, D, F, G, CRF01_AE, and a highly divergent SIVcpzUS Env proteins by ELISA and Western blot analysis. Two mAbs (3B3 and 16H3) cross-reacted with all tested Env proteins, including SIVcpzUS Env. Surface plasmon resonance analyses showed both 3B3 and 16H3 bound Env proteins with high affinity. However, neither neutralized primary HIV-1 pseudoviruses. These data indicate that broadly reactive non-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies can be elicited, but that the conserved epitopes that they recognize are not present on functional virion trimers. Nonetheless, such mAbs represent valuable reagents to study the biochemistry and structural biology of Env protein oligomers.     

Monoclonal antibodies to Vibrio cholerae O1 serotype inaba.

Eighteen monoclonal antibodies were generated from mice immunized with Vibrio cholerae O1 serotype Inaba. Reactivities of these antibodies were investigated by slide agglutination, microdilution agglutination, and passive hemagglutination tests. Although all antibodies reacted to the Inaba-type cells, reactivity to Ogawa cells showed some variation. These antibodies were roughly subdivided into three groups by slide agglutination tests and microdilution agglutination tests by using type-specific standard strains. The first group showed almost identical reactivities to both the Ogawa- and the Inaba-type cells, while the second group reacted to Inaba-type cells but only very weakly reacted to Ogawa-type cells. The third group reacted only to Inaba-type cells; no agglutination was observed for Ogawa-type cells in either the slide agglutination or the microdilution agglutination tests. Most of the third group showed cross-reactivity to Brucella abortus and Yersinia enterocolitica O9. Results of passive hemagglutination tests showed that all 18 antibodies were to the lipopolysaccharide of V. cholerae O1.     

人类免疫缺陷病毒I型包膜糖蛋白gp41的基因重组表达

目的 基因重组表达（ＨＩＶ－１ ｇｐ４１）抗原,并研制一种快速,简便,灵敏性高,特异性强的国产ＨＩＶ－１免疫检测试剂。方法 选用ＨＩＶ－１型ＢＨ１０毒株的包膜糖蛋白ｇｐ４１的部分基因（６９７７－７４９７）,重组在ＰＢＶ２２１表达载体上。表达产物通过１５％ＳＤＳ－聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳初步分离纯化,根据ＲＦ值,切下含特异蛋白的胶带,以Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ ｂｌｏｔ法转移在硝酸纤维素膜上;     

Maternal antibodies to HIV-1 envelope domains: No correlation with HIV-1 vertical transmission in patients from Argentina

The role of the maternal antibody response in relation to vertical human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transmission was investigated in HIV-1-infected mothers from Argentina. Sera from 23 transmitting and 18 nontransmitting HIV-1-infected mothers were tested for the presence of antibodies to V3 loop gp120 peptides representing both Argentinian sequences and several well-characterized viral isolates from different geographic areas. Argentinian sera from transmitting mothers had significantly higher capacity to react with four of 14 V3 loop peptides tested than sera from nontransmitting mothers. Frequency of reactivity against the other peptides did not differ between the two maternal groups. Furthermore, no differences in antibody affinity were found between transmitting and nontransmitting mothers. Sera were also tested against overlapping peptides covering a neutralizing epitope of the HIV-1 MN gp41 (amino acids 648-677). Statistical analysis indicated that no correlation between anti-gp41 antibodies and vertical transmission exists. Although we used V3 loop peptides based on local HIV-1 sequences, our data showed that maternal antibodies to these peptides, as well as to gp41 peptides, are not correlated with protection against HIV-1 vertical transmission.     

Potency of HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 antibodies to inhibit the interaction of DC-SIGN with HIV-1 gp120

The interaction of DC-SIGN with gp120 provides an attractive target for intervention of HIV-1 transmission. Here, we have investigated the potency of gp120 antibodies to inhibit the DC-SIGN-gp120 interaction. We demonstrate that although the V3 loop is not essential for DC-SIGN binding, antibodies against the V3 loop partially inhibit DC-SIGN binding, suggesting that these antibodies sterically hinder DC-SIGN binding to gp120. Polyclonal antibodies raised against non-glycosylated gp120 inhibited both low and high avidity DC-SIGN-gp120 interactions in contrast to polyclonal antibodies raised against glycosylated gp120. Thus, glycans present on gp120 may prevent the generation of antibodies that block the DC-SIGN-gp120 interactions. Moreover, the polyclonal antibodies against non-glycosylated gp120 efficiently inhibited HIV-1 capture by both DC-SIGN transfectants and immature dendritic cells. Therefore, non-glycosylated gp120 may be an attractive immunogen to elicit gp120 antibodies that block the binding to DC-SIGN. Furthermore, we demonstrate that DC-SIGN binding to gp120 enhanced CD4 binding, suggesting that DC-SIGN induces conformational changes in gp120, which may provide new targets for neutralizing antibodies.     

Monoclonal antibodies to thymosin α1

Sixteen monoclonal antibodies specific for thymosin α 1 [Low et al., J. biol. Chem.254, 981–986 (1979)] obtained from two fusions with the spleens of three mice [Stähli et al., Meth. Enzym.92, 26–36 (1982b)] all react with an epitope in the C-terminal half of thymosin α 1. Human and foetal calf serum contain substances which cross-react with this epitope. A simple procedure to selectively remove the cross-reactive material and a sensitive RIA are described.     

Serum antibodies to HIV-1 in recombinant vaccinia virus recipients boosted with purified recombinant gp160

Serum antibody responses were studied in detail in four vaccinia-naive volunteers in a phase I trial evaluating primary vaccination with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the HIV-1 gp160 envelope glycoprotein (HIVAC-1e, Oncogen/Bristol-Myers Squibb), followed by booster immunization with baculovirus-derived rgp160 (VaxSyn, MicroGeneSys). Prior to boosting, low-titer Fc receptor (FcR)-mediated, antibody-dependent enhancing (ADE) activity was detected in two of four volunteers but no IgM, IgG, IgA, neutralizing activity, or complement-mediated ADE activity was detected. Two weeks after boosting, all four volunteers developed HIV-1-specific IgG with titers of 1:160 to 1:640 by immunofluorescence assay. IgG1 was present in sera from each individual, while IgG2 and IgG3 were present in sera from two individuals, and IgG4 was present in serum from one individual. IgM and IgA were undetectable in all sera. Only one volunteer had IgG to the heterologous HIV-1 isolates, RF, MN, and SF2, after boosting. Serum from this volunteer neutralized the vaccine strain, LAV/IIIB, but not the heterologous strains, RF, MN, and SF2. Antibodies from the remaining volunteers had no neutralizing activity. The neutralizing serum had a positive reaction in a peptide-based ELISA utilizing a peptide corresponding to the principal neutralizing domain of the third hypervariable region (i.e., V3 loop) of the envelope glycoprotein. Neutralizing activity was partially removed by adsorption to this peptide, suggesting that it contained a type-specific neutralizing vaccine epitope. A low titer (1:40 to 1:80) of complement-mediated ADE activity to HIV-1 IIIB was present in sera from three vaccinees after boosting. FcR-ADE activity for HIV-1 SF2 and SF-128A were present in sera from two of these three vaccinees. None of the volunteers developed antisyncytial antibodies. These results indicate that inoculation with recombinant vaccinia followed by rgp160 boosting is the most effective strategy to date for inducing serum antibodies to the envelope glycoproteins of HIV-1, but further study is needed to optimize the functionality and cross-reactivity of these responses.     

N-linked glycosylation in C2 region of HIV-1 envelope reduces sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies

N-linked glycosylation at specific sites on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)--1 gp120 envelope glycoprotein is believed to act as a glycan shield to protect the viral neutralizing epitopes. Various glycosylation sites have been shown to affect the sensitivity to antibody-mediated neutralization. These include sites on V1V2, C2, base of V3, V5 and C5. Among these, the sites around the base of V3 loop have been most consistently found to associate with neutralization sensitivity in subtype B viruses. In contrast, we found that N-linked glycosylation sites at the junction of V2--C2 and in the middle of C2 were responsible for the neutralization resistance in CRF01_A/E, whereas sites at the base of V3 loop and in V1 and V5 did not affect the neutralization phenotype.     

A group M consensus envelope glycoprotein induces antibodies that neutralize subsets of subtype B and C HIV-1 primary viruses

HIV-1 subtype C is the most common HIV-1 group M subtype in Africa and many parts of Asia. However, to date HIV-1 vaccine candidate immunogens have not induced potent and broadly neutralizing antibodies against subtype C primary isolates. We have used a centralized gene strategy to address HIV-1 diversity and generated a group M consensus envelope gene with shortened consensus variable loops (CON-S) for comparative studies with wild-type (WT) Env immunogens. Our results indicate that the consensus HIV-1 group M CON-S Env elicited cross-subtype neutralizing antibodies of similar or greater breadth and titer than the WT Envs tested, indicating the utility of a centralized gene strategy. Our study also shows the feasibility of iterative improvements in Env immunogenicity by rational design of centralized genes.     

Monoclonal antibodies to blood group antigens on ruminant red cells

Hybridomas were made between NSI/1-Ag 4-1 mouse myeloma cells and spleen cells from Balb/c mice immunized with red cells from sheep (SRBC), goats (GRBC) and cattle (CRBC). The monoclonal antibodies thus produced were tested against a panel of RBC from 80 sheep, 20 goats and 100 cattle of known blood type. One antibody reacted with all RBC from all 3 species, two with all GRBC and SRBC but not CRBC, one was specific for SRBC and two others for CRBC. In addition two monoclonal antibodies were reactive in the B blood group system and two in the FV system of cattle. IgM and IgG concentration in ascite fluids reached up to 8 mg/ml. It is concluded that the hybridoma technique has considerable potential for the production of blood-typing reagents.     

Monoclonal antibodies to subgroup 1 rotavirus.

Subgroup 1-specific monoclones were analyzed and used successfully in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to recognize certain subgroup 1 rotaviruses.     

Characterization and large production of human monoclonal antibodies against the HIV-1 envelope.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from a volunteer immunized with a recombinant vaccinia virus VSC-25 expressing the gp160 env protein of HTLV-IIIB strain and from an asymptomatic HIV-infected individual were immortalized by Epstein-Barr (EBV). Clones which secrete human monoclonal antibodies from the two individuals (DZ, IgG1, lambda and C31, IgG1, kappa) were obtained and were stable for more than 2 years. The two monoclonals were directed against the gp160 env protein of HIV, DZ directed against the gp41 and C31 directed against the gp120. C31 was group-specific, whereas DZ was directed against the HTLV-IIIB and HTLV-RF strains. The epitope recognized by DZ was mapped to the carboxy terminus of the gp41, by expression of HIV DNA fragments in a yeast system and peptide analysis. The C31 epitope was not expressed by the yeast library and not present among the peptides which were tested. Monoclonal antibodies had no inhibitory effect in an HIV-induced cell fusion assay, but DZ showed a weak neutralizing activity against the HTLV-IIIB strain. Cloned EBV-transformed cell lines were fused to a murine myeloma, which allowed the heteromyeloma to be cultivated in serum-free medium. The monoclonal antibodies were produced in large quantity in a hollow-fibre reactor at defined culture conditions and purification procedures.     

DNA-immunization with a V2 deleted HIV-1 envelope elicits protective antibodies in macaques

Rhesus macaques immunized with the HIV-1 SF162DeltaV2 gp140 envelope using the DNA-prime plus protein-boost vaccination methodology, developed HIV envelope-specific T-cell lymphoproliferative responses and potent neutralizing antibodies. To evaluate the protective potential of these antibodies during acute infection, the animals were depleted of their CD8+ T lymphocytes using specific monoclonal antibodies and subsequently challenged intravenously with the pathogenic SHIV(SF162P4) isolate. As compared to non-vaccinated animals (one of which died from AIDS 16 weeks post-exposure) the vaccinated macaques had lower levels of peak viremia, rapidly cleared virus from the periphery and developed delayed seroconversion to SIV core antigens.     

Monoclonal antibodies to recombinant human laminin-binding protein. Production and immunochemical description

Thirteen murine hybridoma lines producing monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) to recombinant human laminin-binding protein (rLBP) were developed. All 13 Mabs reacted with affinity purified 43 kDA rLBP in ELISA and Western blotting. Mab class determination showed 9 Mabs as belonging to IgM class, 2 Mabs--to IgG2 subclass, 1 Mab--to IgG1 and 1 Mab--to IgG2b. Ten Mabs of different classes were capable to react with LBP on the surface of Vero cells. Mabs displayed a high and simultaneously varying affinity to rLBP (10(8) 10(9) M(-1)). The Mab affinity was found to be comparable with the mean affinity of mouse and rabbit antibodies isolated from hyperimmune sera. The possibility of using the produced Mabs in mapping the LBP domains involved in virus attachment, cell differentiation and cancer metastases progression as well as in the systemic response to bacterial protozoan and parasitic infection is under discussion.