title: Human immunodeficiency virus contains an epitope immunoreactive with thymosin alpha 1 and the 30-amino acid synthetic p17 group-specific antigen peptide HGP-30.
abstract: We have reported that an antiserum prepared against thymosin alpha 1 [which shares a region of homology with the p17 protein of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-associated human immunodeficiency virus] effectively neutralized the AIDS virus and prevented its replication in H9 cells. Using HPLC and immunoblot analysis, we have identified from a clone B, type III human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV-IIIB) extract a protein with a molecular weight of 17,000 that is immunoreactive with thymosin alpha 1. In contrast, no immunoreactivity was found in retroviral extracts from a number of nonhuman species including feline, bovine, simian, gibbon, and murine retroviruses. Heterologous antiserum prepared against a 30-amino acid synthetic peptide analogue (HGP-30) does not cross-react with thymosin alpha 1 but does react specifically with the p17 protein of the AIDS virus in a manner identical to that seen with an HTLV-IIIB p17-specific monoclonal antibody. The demonstration that this synthetic analogue is immunogenic and that antibodies to HGP-30 cross-react not only with the synthetic peptide but also with the HTLV-IIIB p17 viral protein provides an additional, and potentially more specific, candidate for development of a synthetic peptide vaccine for AIDS. In addition, the p17 synthetic peptide (HGP-30) may prove to be useful in a diagnostic assay for the detection of AIDS virus infection in seronegative individuals.
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D002460:Cell Line; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis*; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology*; D015488:HIV Antigens; D006801:Humans; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010455:Peptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D000077596:Thymalfasin; D013947:Thymosin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D054301:gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D000939:Epitopes; C052407:HGP-30 peptide, Human immunodeficiency virus-1; D015488:HIV Antigens; D010455:Peptides; D054301:gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; D013947:Thymosin; D000077596:Thymalfasin