Crosslinked HIV-1 envelope-CD4 receptor complexes elicit broadly cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies in rhesus macaques

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2002 Sep 3;99(18):11842-7. doi: 10.1073/pnas.182412199. Epub 2002 Aug 21.

Abstract

The identification of HIV envelope structures that generate broadly cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies is a major goal for HIV-vaccine development. In this study, we evaluated one such structure, expressed as either a gp120-CD4 or a gp140-CD4 complex, for its ability to elicit a neutralizing antibody response. In rhesus macaques, covalently crosslinked complexes of soluble human CD4 (shCD4) and HIV-1(IIIB) envelope glycoproteins (gp120 or gp140) generated antibodies that neutralized a wide range of primary HIV-1 isolates regardless of the coreceptor usage or genetic subtype. Ig with cross-reactive neutralizing activity was recovered by affinity chromatography with a chimeric single-chain polypeptide containing sequences for HIV(BaL) gp120 and a mimetic peptide that induces a CD4-triggered envelope structure. These results suggest that covalently crosslinked complexes of the HIV-1 surface envelope glycoprotein and CD4 elicit broadly neutralizing humoral responses that, in part, may be directed against a novel epitope(s) found on the HIV-1 envelope.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD4 Antigens / metabolism*
  • Cross Reactions
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Gene Products, env / metabolism*
  • HIV Antibodies / biosynthesis*
  • HIV Antibodies / immunology
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / metabolism*
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Neutralization Tests
  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Substances

  • CD4 Antigens
  • Gene Products, env
  • HIV Antibodies
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120
  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
  • gp140 envelope protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1