Artificial viral envelopes containing recombinant human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gp160.
An artificial viral envelope was constructed, resembling the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope with respect to ultrastructure, size, phospholipid profile and lipid:cholesterol ratio. Recombinant HIV surface protein gp160 was anchored in the outer surface of the envelope membrane using a double detergent dialysis. The envelopes remained physically stable for several months. Immunolabeling with anti-gp160/41 monoclonal antibody revealed surface insertion and availability of gp160 for binding. Cell fusion and cytosolic transfer of the encapsulated fluorescent marker FITC-dextran was demonstrated. Flow cytometry indicated more efficient transfer of the fluorescent marker to cells which were approximately 60% CD4+ (REX-1B), relative to cells which were only approximately 18% CD4+ (KG-1). However, plain lipid envelopes without gp160 fused very efficiently with both cell types, indicating their potential usefulness as "fusogenic liposomes". Complete artificial viral envelopes may serve as subunit vaccines, and receptor-targeted delivery systems for drugs, toxins and genetic constructs.
Department of Pharmaceutics Drug Delivery Laboratory, University of Florida Progress Center, Alachua 32615.
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D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D002459:Cell Fusion; D003911:Dextrans / Q000378:metabolism; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate / Q000378:metabolism / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005614:Freeze Fracturing; D015686:Gene Products, env / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006678:HIV; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D019302:HIV Envelope Protein gp160; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D003911:Dextrans; D015686:Gene Products, env; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D019302:HIV Envelope Protein gp160; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011498:Protein Precursors; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C015219:fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate