Producing a highly immunogenic synthetic vaccine construct active against HIV-1 subtype C.
A synthetic peptide immunogen designated the multiple epitope immunogen (MEI), based on the principle neutralizing domain (PND) of the third variable region (V3) of the HIV-1 subtype C surface envelope protein was prepared by combining two different modes of synthesis [Vaccine 12 (8) (1994) 736; AIDS Res. Hum. Retroviruses 14 (9) (1998) 751; J. Biol. Chem. 263 (4) (1988) 1719]. The MEI induced strong humoral immune responses (titers of >100) in Swiss White and Balb/c mice and antibodies from individuals with HIV/AIDS recognize the immunogen at similar antibody titers. Anti-MEI antibodies were detected by ELISA (using HIV-1 and the immunogen as antigen) and confirmed by proliferation assays (stimulation indices of >5).
Hewer
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Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Rand Afrikaans University, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa.
Meyer
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D016915:AIDS Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D015686:Gene Products, env / Q000276:immunology*; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D007114:Immunization; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000276:immunology; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000276:immunology*
D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D000939:Epitopes; D015686:Gene Products, env; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D015488:HIV Antigens; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic