Synergistic neutralization of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 by combinations of human monoclonal antibodies

J Virol. 1994 Jun;68(6):4001-8. doi: 10.1128/JVI.68.6.4001-4008.1994.

Abstract

The ability of antibodies to the V3 region and the CD4-binding domain (CD4bd) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) to act in synergy to neutralize HIV has been demonstrated previously. However, synergy between antibodies to other HIV-1 epitopes has not been studied. We have used 21 combinations of human monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against different epitopes of the gp120 and gp41 proteins of HIV-1 to evaluate their ability to act in synergy to neutralize HIV-1. Combinations of anti-V3 and anti-CD4bd antibodies, anti-V3 and anti-gp120 C-terminus antibodies, anti-CD4bd and anti-C-terminus antibodies, anti-V3 and anti-gp41 antibodies, and anti-CD4bd and anti-gp41 antibodies were tested. Our results show that some, but not all anti-V3 antibodies can act in synergy with anti-CD4bd antibodies. In addition, for the first time, antibodies to the C-terminus region have been found to act in synergy with the anti-CD4bd antibodies. Various anti-CD4bd MAbs also act in synergy when used together. The use of such cocktails of human MAbs for passive immunization against HIV-1 may prove to be important for therapy in postexposure settings and for prevention of maternal-fetal transmission of the virus. The results also provide information on the types of antibodies that should be elicited by an effective vaccine.

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Vaccines / immunology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology*
  • CD4 Antigens / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Epitopes / immunology
  • HIV Antibodies / immunology*
  • HIV Antigens / immunology
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / immunology
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / immunology
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunization, Passive
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Peptide Fragments / immunology

Substances

  • AIDS Vaccines
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • CD4 Antigens
  • Epitopes
  • HIV Antibodies
  • HIV Antigens
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41
  • HIV envelope protein gp120 (305-321)
  • Peptide Fragments