MN Strain Research Articles

Expression and immunogenicity of V 3 loop epitopes of HIV-1, isolates SC and WMJ2, inserted in Salmonella flagellin

Synthetic oligonucleotides corresponding to specific V 3 loop portions of two HIV-1 isolates, SC and WMJ2, were expressed in the flagella of a Salmonella live-vaccine strain. Expression of the inserted epitopes in flagellin and their exposure at the surface of flagellar filaments were shown by immunoblotting and immunogold labeling with anti-flagellin ( Salmonella d) and anti-HIV-1(IIIB) V 3 loop peptide sera. Live recombinant Salmonella strains expressing either one of the two V 3 loop inserts were administered intraperitoneally to BALB/c mice. All these animals developed antibodies specific for the heterologous glycoprotein 120 (gp120) of HIV-1 MN strain, as detected by enzyme -linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA); two of the sera had neutralizing activity against the heterologous HIV-1 MN strain. Moreover, oral administration of the live Salmonella recombinant strains to mice evoked specific IgA directed against gp120.

Identification of a synthetic peptide that mimics an HIV glycoprotein 120 envelope conformational determinant exposed following ligation of glycoprotein 120 by CD4.

CD4 ligation of HIV envelope gp120 results in conformational changes in gp120 that lead to exposure of the gp41 fusogenic domain and fusion with the host cell membrane. One determinant at or near the CD4-binding site exposed on gp120 subsequent to CD4 binding is defined by two human MAbs termed 17b and 48d. These MAbs do not block CD4 binding to gp120; rather, their binding to gp120 is upregulated following CD4 binding. To determine if synthetic peptide mimetopes could be found that reflect conformational determinants on the surface of gp120, synthetic gp120 peptides from 10 divergent HIV isolates were screened for their ability to bind to 17b and 48d in ELISAs. Although MAb 48d binds to HIV IIIB recombinant gp120 protein, in our studies 48d selectively bound only to the HIV Can0A V3 peptide and not to HIV IIIB V3 peptide, whereas MAb 17b bound none of the peptides tested. Monoclonal antibody 48d bound to the HIV Can0A V3 peptide both in solid-phase ELISA and in solution in a competitive ELISA, but could not bind to HIV Can0A V3 peptide bound to human T cells. The HIV Can0A V3 peptide induced anti-HIV antibodies in rhesus monkeys that neutralized the laboratory-adapted HIV MN strain but did not induce antibodies that neutralized HIV IIIB/LAI, HIV SF-2, or HIV RF isolates, or that neutralized HIV primary isolates. These data suggested that the primary sequence of the HIV Can0A V3 loop exists in a conformer that mimicks a non-V3 determinant of native gp120 exposed subsequent to CD4 binding on the surface of gp120 of laboratory-adapted HIV strains. Structural studies of the Can0A V3 peptide and/or the 48d MAb may provide important information regarding the nature of gp120 conformational changes that occur following gp120 ligation by CD4.

Brucella abortus conjugated with a peptide derived from the V3 loop of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 induces HIV-specific cytotoxic T-cell responses in normal and in CD4+ cell-depleted BALB/c mice

We have previously shown that immunization of mice with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-derived proteins or peptides conjugated to inactivated Brucella abortus induces the secretion of virus-neutralizing antibodies, predominantly of the immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a) isotype. In addition, B. abortus activates human CD4+ and CD8+ cells to secrete gamma interferon. Since these are both characteristics of a Th1-type immune response, which is associated with the development of cell-mediated immunity, it was important to determine if B. abortus conjugates would also act as a carrier to induce a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response. To test this hypothesis, we conjugated an 18-amino-acid peptide from the V3 loop of the MN strain of HIV-1 gp120 that contains both B- and cytotoxic T-cell epitopes to B. abortus (B. abortus-MN 18-mer). A 10-amino-acid fragment of this peptide has been shown to be the minimal CTL determinant presented by murine H-2Dd. It was found that two in vivo immunizations with 10(8) organisms of B. abortus-MN 18-mer followed by in vitro stimulation with peptide induced a virus-specific CTL response. Conjugation to B. abortus was required for in vivo priming, since there was no induction of memory CTLs when B. abortus was only mixed with peptide. Targets pulsed with peptide as well as those infected with a vaccinia virus encoding HIV gp160 were killed, demonstrating recognition of naturally processed envelope. Also, major histocompatibility complex-incompatible L cells which were infected with vaccinia viruses that encoded H-2Dd, but not H-2Kd, and pulsed with peptide were lysed. This demonstrated the appropriate major histocompatibility complex class I restriction. Treatment of the mice with anti-L3T4 prior to immunization caused a severe depletion of CD4+ lymphocytes, yet it did not decrease the CTL priming. Thus, inactivated B. abortus can induce non-CD4+ cells to produce the cytokines required for CTL induction. We conclude that B. abortus stimulates a cellular as well as a humoral immune response, even in the relative absence of CD4+ helper cells. It may be a particularly useful vaccine carrier in HIV-1-infected individuals or others with impaired CD4+ T-cell function.

Syncytium-inhibiting and neutralizing activity in maternal sera fail to prevent vertical transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

To measure the prevalence and titers of syncytium-inhibiting (SI) and neutralizing (Nt) antibodies to HIV-1 in mothers' blood close to the time of delivery and to correlate such findings with the infection status of their offspring. We analyzed serum specimens from a convenience sample of 22 HIV-infected mothers. The HIV-1 infection status of their children was determined. Forty-five percent of the women transmitted and 55% did not transmit infection to their offspring. Cord blood samples from offspring of the mothers were also studied. We measured maternal SI antibody titers against cells infected with HIV-1/SB, a strain isolated from a transmitting mother in New Haven, as well as cells infected with the more prevalent MN strain of HIV-1. We compared SI antibody titers to the SB strain in 11 matched maternal and cord blood samples. Nt antibody titers to HIV-1/SB were also measured in 20 maternal sera. Using the SB and MN strains of HIV-1, we found no difference in the prevalence or titer of SI antibody in the sera of transmitting and nontransmitting mothers. Only 35% of samples were concordant for presence or absence of SI antibody to the two strains. Furthermore the presence or absence of SI antibody in cord blood did not correlate with virus transmission. Both the frequency and titer of Nt antibody to HIV-1/SB were higher in the sera of mothers who transmitted infection when compared to those who did not. Only one-half of maternal blood samples were concordant for either the presence or absence of SI and Nt antibodies. We could not demonstrate a correlation between the presence of two types of functional antibodies (i.e. SI and Nt) to HIV-1 in the sera of pregnant women and vertical transmission. Efforts to induce or to increase such antibodies in infected mothers by immunization with vaccines or hyperimmune globulins may not alter the risk of vertical transmission.

Affinity Maturation of a High-affinity Human Monoclonal Antibody Against the Third Hypervariable Loop of Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Use of Phage Display to Improve Affinity and Broaden Strain Reactivity

The present study set out to investigate whether phage display could be used to improve the properties of a high-affinity human monoclonal antibody directed against the third hypervariable loop (V3 loop) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The aim was to increase affinity through slowing the dissociation rate (off-rate constant or k off), whilst retaining the ability of this antibody to bind diverse V3 loop sequences. When reformatted as a scFv, the antibody fragment retained the properties of the parental IgG, including the ability to neutralise virus. Heavy and light chains were sequentially replaced with repertoires of variable domains from non-immunised human donors followed by selection on biotinylated synthetic peptide. All selected variants derived from the same germline as the parental antibody. Variants of the light chain provided little if any improvement, whereas two residue changes in VHCDR2 and one in VHFR3 resulted in a reduced k offfrom gp120 protein of the MN strain (MNgp120) and synthetic V3 loop peptides as measured by surface plasmon resonance using the BIAcore instrument (Pharmacia Biosensor). VHCDR3 was modified using synthetic oligonucleotides and several clones with reduced k offidentified, a number of different substitutions occurring at a single residue position. The residues in the heavy chain identified as reducing k offwere simultaneously randomised by site-directed mutagenesis, resulting in scFv variants with k offslowed up to sevenfold. Far from compromising recognition of variant loops, binding to these sequences was improved; the k offfrom synthetic peptides modelled on V3 loop variants being slowed to a degree similar to that observed with MNgp120. All four changes were located towards either extremes of CDRs 2 and 3, suggesting that the mechanism of improvement may be one of alteration of loop conformation. This work illustrates that phage display can be used to tailor the properties of a therapeutic monoclonal antibody in a predefined fashion.

Epitope mapping, V-region DNA sequence, and neutralizing Fab fragments of two monoclonal antibodies against the HIV-1 V3 loop

Background: Experimental evidence suggests that neutralizing antibodies could constitute an important factor in the control of AIDS progression and that the V3 loop of gp120 constitutes the main target for such purposes. We have previously developed two neutralizing murine monoclonal antibodies (blabs) against the V3 region of the HIV-1 MN strain. Objectives: To characterize those Mabs in terms of fine specificity and DNA sequence of their V regions and to study if Fab fragments retain their neutralizing potential in vitro. Study design: A set of 12-mer alanine substituted peptides were employed for epitope mapping using two ELISA procedures: (1) indirect, with each peptide bound to polystyrene plates, and (2) competitive, with co-incubation of peptides and Mabs in solution. The V regions of both Mabs were PCR amplified from cDNA and their nucleotide sequences were determined. Finally, Fab fragments of Mab 10F10 were generated and their neutralizing capacity against the MN isolated was assessed. Results: We first restricted the minimal length of the epitopes recognized by 2C4 and 10F10 to the 12-mer peptide KRIHIGPGRAFY. The core of the epitopes recognized by Mabs 2C4 and 10F10 were IHIGP-R and IHIG-R, respectively. While substitution of proline in position 7 completely abolished the binding of 2C4, it only reduced that of 10F10 by 50%. Finally, Fab fragments of Mab 10F10 were still able to neutralize the HIV-1 MN strain in vitro. Conclusion: This subtle distinction in the fine mapping of the epitope recognized by Mabs 2C4 and 10F10 should correspond to three amino acid differences that we found in the heavy chain V-regions. The Fab fragments of Mab 10F10 retained the neutralizing capacity. This indicates that HIV neutralization by anti V3 Mabs is an Fc independent process.

Analysis and localization of cyclophilin A found in the virions of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 MN strain.

Previous reports have shown that cyclophilin A (CyPA) is found to be specifically associated with human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) virions and is required for infectivity (Franke et al. Nature 372:359; Thali et al. Nature 372:363). We have examined CyPA associated with HIV-1MN virions. Virions from infected human lymphoid cells were analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), protein sequence, and immunoblot analysis. At least three forms of CyPA were found: an unmodified form, an N-terminally modified form, and an N-terminally modified form that migrates as a larger isoform on a reducing-SDS polyacrylamide gel. Using a protease digestion procedure, CyPA that is associated with virions was found to be located inside the viral membrane. Similar examination of SIVMne produced by HUT-78 human T cells did not detect specific incorporation of CyPA into SIV virions. Our results are consistent with the role of CyPA acting early in the infectious process of HIV-1.

Cytokine-Containing Liposomes as Adjuvants for HIV Subunit Vaccines

Dehydration-rehydration liposome vesicles (DRVs) containing various cytokines were evaluated for their ability to induce delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) and humoral immunity to the recombinant envelope protein rgp120 of the MN strain of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). The DRVs trapped approximately 25% of the radiolabeled cytokines and approximately 17% of the radiolabeled rgp120 that were added. The level of trapping was greater than the aqueous volume of the DRVs, indicating association of the proteins with the lipid bilayer. Flow cytometric analysis using antibody to rgp120 or the V3 loop of rgp120 showed the diameter of the DRVs to be 2-7.5 microns. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the heterogeneity in size of the DRVs and revealed morphological heterogeneity. Transmission electron microscopy with immunogold labeling also revealed the presence of rgp120 on the surface of the DRVs. In vitro bioassays demonstrated slow leakage of biologically active cytokines from DRVs soaked in tissue culture medium containing serum. Mice injected subcutaneously three times at 14-day intervals with DRVs containing 15 micrograms of rgp120 plus interleukin 6 (IL-6) or interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) produced significantly greater DTH responses than mice injected with DRVs containing rgp120 alone. Soluble rgp120 plus soluble IFN-gamma produced DTH in some experiments, but of lower magnitude than the comparable DRVs. Interleukin 6, but not IFN-gamma, increased the antibody titer to rgp120 when included in the DRVs. The mice did not develop antibodies to IFN-gamma or IL-6. Induction of DTH by vaccines may increase protection from viral pathogens such as HIV. Cytokine-containing liposomes may be an effective adjuvant for the induction of a DTH response to envelope-antigen subunit vaccines.

Minimal Sequence Requirements for Synthetic Peptides Derived from the V3 Loop of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) to Enhance HIV-1 Binding to Cells and Infection

We previously demonstrated that a 23-mer peptide (DB3) derived from the V3 loop of the surface glycoprotein of HIV-1 MN strain was able to bind to soluble CD4 and enhance HIV-1 infection. The mechanism and structural features required for these biological activities were studied by using shortened DB3 derivatives and DB3 analogs carrying single amino acid substitutions. We found that peptides in which the aromatic amino acid in position 15 or 16 had been replaced by an uncharged hydrophobic residue (DB3-115 and DB3-116), analogs in which positively charged amino acids were replaced by corresponding D-enantiomers, and shortened DB3-derivatives lost both enhancing activity and ability to bind to soluble CD4. Other peptide variants in which a positively charged amino acid was replaced by asparagine at positions 3 (DB3-N3), 6 (DB3-N6), and 19 (DB3-N19), respectively, retained both enhancing and binding activities, although with different efficiencies. The CD4 binder peptides DB3 and DB3-N19, but none of the CD4 nonbinder peptides, enhanced CD4 expression on peptidetreated cells as well as gp120 binding to both CD4+ cells and soluble CD4. These findings strongly suggest that the peptide/CD4 interaction induced an increase in both CD4 expression and CD4/gp120 binding affinity, which in turn mediated the enhancement of viral infection. A model of the structural conformation of DB3 peptide required for its biological activities is discussed.

Adjuvant effects on morphine-induced suppression of immune responses to MN rgp120/HIV-1 in mice.

Intravenous drug users (IDUs) are more susceptible to infections, including HIV-1 (1Haverkos and Lange, 1990), and have been shown to have suppressed immune responses (Brown et al., 1974). This may be due to a combination of effects, including immunosuppressive effects of the drugs themselves (i.e., morphine, heroin, cocaine), poor nutrition and sharing contaminated needles. Given that a very high percentage of heroin users report injection, often with shared equipment, as the primary route of administration, this population is at high risk for becoming infected with HIV-1. We have shown previously that morphine decreases primary and secondary antibody responses both in vitro and in vivo (Bussiere et al.,1993b) in a murine model. This model may provide information on one risk factor; the interaction between the drugs of abuse and immune responses to a subunit vaccine, recombinant glycoprotein 120 from the MN strain of HIV-1 (rgp120). In addition, morphine has been shown to promote the growth of HIV-1 in vitro (Peterson et al.,1990; Squinto et al.,1990), and promote the growth of SIV in vitro and in vivo in macaques (Chuang et al.,1993). Thus, these drugs may also influence the infectivity of the virus.

Interferon Induction by HIV Glycoprotein 120: Role of the V3 Loop

We have studied the mechanism of IFN induction by HIV-1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), using recombinant viral membrane glycoproteins as potential inducers. Whereas 8 nM HIVIIIB,-derived gp120 resulted in IFN levels between 80 and 2000 IU/ml with PBMC from different donors, gp120 from the MN strain was not an inducer. Preincubation of HIVIIIB-gp120 with a monoclonal antibody (mAB) to its CD4 binding domain or of PBMC with a mAB to the gp120 binding domain of CD4 abolished IFN induction. Antibodies against the third extracellular domain of CD4 which did not block binding of gp 120, however, were also inhibitory. Furthermore, several mABs to the third variable loop (v3) of HIVIIIB-gp120 also blocked IFN induction, suggesting an important role of V3 in this process. This was further supported by the inhibitory action of peptides homologous to complete or partial sequences of V3. We conclude that after binding of gp120 to its CD4 receptor the V3 loop can be positioned close to the membrane of the responder cells by bending of gp120-occupied CD4 at its hinge region between extracellular domains 2 and 3. As a result V3 is able to interact with a V3-specific "secondary receptor" on the membranes of these cells. We suggest that it is the latter interaction which triggers IFN induction.

Neutralizing Antibodies to HIV-1 in Seronegative Volunteers Immunized With Recombinant gp 120 From the MN Strain of HIV-1

Objective. —To evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the MN strain of recombinant gp 120 (MN rgp 120) as a vaccine prototype to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Design. —Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study with subjects vaccinated at 0, 4, 24, and 48 weeks and followed up through 64 weeks. Setting. —The AIDS Vaccine Evaluation Units in St Louis, Mo, Nashville, Tenn, and Rochester, NY, conducted the clinical study. Laboratory studies were conducted at Duke University, Raleigh, NC; data analysis was done by the Data Coordinating and Analysis Center at the EMMES Corporation, Potomac, Md. Participants. —Fifty-seven persons seronegative for HIV, at low risk for acquiring HIV infection, and 18 to 60 years of age. Interventions. —The MN rgp 120 vaccine was administered to 12 volunteers each in doses of 100 μg, 300 μg, or 600 μg, and 12 volunteers received a combination of 300 μg of MN rgp 120 vaccine and 300 μg of vaccine from rgp 120 of strain IIIB. Nine volunteers received alum adjuvant alone (control). Main Outcome Measures. —Safety was assessed by monitoring lymphocyte subsets, serum creatinine, and liver enzymes. Immunogenicity was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using the immunogen and synthetic peptide corresponding to the variable region 3 domain of gp 120. Functional antibody assays included CD4 binding blocking; antibody-dependent, cell-mediated cytotoxicity; and neutralization of homologous and heterologous HIV strains. Results. —No severe adverse reactions occurred. In 33 of 48 volunteers, tw doses of vaccine induced antibodies that neutralized the homologous strain HIV-1/MN. Three doses of vaccine induced antibodies that neutralized MN (in 46 of 48 volunteers), SF-2 (in 45 of 48 volunteers), or IIIB strains of HIV-1 (in 30 of 48 volunteers). Conclusion. —The vaccines were safe and immunogenic. Multiple injections of vaccine broadened and increased the neutralizing antibody response. ( JAMA . 1994;272:475-480)

Neutralizing antibodies to HIV-1 in seronegative volunteers immunized with recombinant gp120 from the MN strain of HIV-1. NIAID AIDS Vaccine Clinical Trials Network

To evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the MN strain of recombinant gp120 (MN rgp120) as a vaccine prototype to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study with subjects vaccinated at 0, 4, 24, and 48 weeks and followed up through 64 weeks. The AIDS Vaccine Evaluation Units in St Louis, Mo, Nashville, Tenn, and Rochester, NY, conducted the clinical study. Laboratory studies were conducted at Duke University, Raleigh, NC; data analysis was done by the Data Coordinating and Analysis Center at the EMMES Corporation, Potomac, Md. Fifty-seven persons seronegative for HIV, at low risk for acquiring HIV infection, and 18 to 60 years of age. The MN rgp120 vaccine was administered to 12 volunteers each in doses of 100 micrograms, 300 micrograms, or 600 micrograms, and 12 volunteers received a combination of 300 micrograms of MN rgp120 vaccine and 300 micrograms of vaccine from rgp120 of strain IIIB. Nine volunteers received alum adjuvant alone (control). Safety was assessed by monitoring lymphocyte subsets, serum creatinine, and liver enzymes. Immunogenicity was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using the immunogen and synthetic peptide corresponding to the variable region 3 domain of gp120. Functional antibody assays included CD4 binding blocking; antibody-dependent, cell-mediated cytotoxicity; and neutralization of homologous and heterologous HIV strains. No severe adverse reactions occurred. In 33 of 48 volunteers, two doses of vaccine induced antibodies that neutralized the homologous strain HIV-1/MN. Three doses of vaccine induced antibodies that neutralized MN (in 46 of 48 volunteers), SF-2 (in 45 of 48 volunteers), or IIIB strains of HIV-1 (in 30 of 48 volunteers). The vaccines were safe and immunogenic. Multiple injections of vaccine broadened and increased the neutralizing antibody response.

Adhesion Mediated by Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 Attenuates the Potency of Antibodies That Block HIV-1 gp160-Dependent Syncytium Formation

Several lines of evidence suggest that leukocyte adhesion molecules can promote HIV-1-mediated cell fusion and syncytium formation. In the present studies, the human kidney cell line, 293, was transfected with the envelope glycoprotein gene of the MN strain of HIV-1 alone or cotransfected with a cDNA encoding intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1). It was found that 293 cells transfected with the HIV-1MN env gene expressed the HIV-1 polyglycoprotein precursor, gp160, and the mature gp120-gp41 complex. When mixed with a CD4+ T cell line (CEM), the gp160-transfected cells mediated heterotypic cell fusion and formed multinucleate syncytia. Virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies to the V2 and V3 domains of gp120 were able to inhibit syncytium formation, as were monoclonal antibodies to CD4. When ICAM-1 was coexpressed with gp160, syncytium formation between the transfected kidney cells and uninfected CD$+ T cells was markedly enhanced. Inhibitors of HIV-1 infectivity (e.g., monoclonal antibodies to gp120, recombinant soluble CD4) were able to prevent syncytium formation; however, the syncytium-blocking activity of these agents was significantly attenuated in cultures in which ICAM-1 was cotransfected with gp160. These results confirm that leukocyte adhesion molecules can promote gp160-mediated syncytium formation and demonstrate, for the first time, that adhesive interactions mediated by ICAM-1 and its contrareceptor, LFA-1, attenuate the syncytium-inhibiting activity of virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies and soluble CD4. These findings suggest that the type and magnitude of leukocyte adhesion molecules expressed on cells may be a significant variable in in vitro HIV-1 neutralization assays.

Effect of antibody valency on interaction with cell-surface expressed HIV-1 and viral neutralization.

F(ab) and F(ab')2 fragments of the human mAb, F105, were compared to intact IgG1 for binding to the CD4 binding site of HIV-1/gp120 on the surface of infected cells and viral neutralization. F105 IgG1 and F(ab')2 bound to IIIB, MN, and RF infected cells and neutralized these strains in an identical fashion, whereas strain-specific differences were observed in F(ab) activity. Although F105 F(ab) bound with equivalent affinity to IIIB-infected cells, there was a 4- to 10-fold decrease in the neutralization of IIIB by monovalent F(ab) compared to the bivalent molecules. F105 F(ab) demonstrated both diminished binding and neutralization of the MN strain and failed to bind or neutralize the RF strain. When cooperativity of V3 loop antibody (V3ab) with F105 IgG and fragments was examined, the binding of F105 IgG and F(ab')2 to IIIB-, MN-, or RF-infected cells was modestly enhanced by V3ab; viral neutralization was substantially enhanced by the combination of V3ab and F105 IgG and F(ab')2. The combination of F105 F(ab) with V3ab also resulted in significant cooperative neutralization of IIIB and MN, but the lack of F105 F(ab) binding and neutralization of RF was unaltered by V3ab. These results suggest that bivalent interaction may be important in binding and neutralization of virus, and support the notion that this interaction may depend on conformational changes in oligomeric gp120 on intact virions and cell surface rather than on affinity or steric effects.

Characterization of human immunodeficiency virus type 1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte clones isolated during acute seroconversion: recognition of autologous virus sequences within a conserved immunodominant epitope.

Virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are involved in protective immunity to many virus infections. It has recently been shown that CTL are detectable early during primary infection with the primate lentiviruses, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and simian immunodeficiency virus. To better characterize the CTL response during acute HIV-1 infection, HIV-1-specific CTL clones were generated from two patients during symptomatic HIV-1 seroconversion. These CTL clones demonstrated specificity for env of HIV-1 and recognized sequences within gp41. Two human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA) A31-restricted clones from the same individual were found to have differing virus strain specificities. Both clones recognized the 11-amino acid peptide RLRDLLLIVTR from position 770-780 of gp41. A change from T to V at position 779 in this epitope abrogated lysis by one clone but not the other. A CTL clone from the other patient, restricted by a different class I HLA allele, recognized the nine-amino acid peptide HRLRDLLLI from position 769-777 of gp41. Of note, the peptide RLRDLLLIVTR has been shown by others to be presented to CTL by HLA-A3.1. Autologous virus sequences from seroconversion and up to 15 wk after presentation in these two patients were recognized by the CTL clones isolated during acute infection. None of the CTL clones recognized the MN strain of HIV-1, indicating the problems inherent in relying on a single virus strain in the development of a vaccine. These studies have identified an immunodominant and promiscuous area for the generation of CTL responses within gp41. This recognition of autologous virus sequences by the initial CTL response is consistent with the hypothesis that a single virus strain is transmitted to the seroconverter and that the CTL response is involved in the initial control of that virus. These studies indicate the importance of the CTL response to HIV-1 infection and have implications in the design of vaccines.

Structural Studies on Synthetic Peptides from the Principal Neutralizing Domain of HIV-1 gp120 That Bind to CD4 and Enhance HIV-1 Infection

In previous studies we have demonstrated that synthetic peptides, corresponding to sequences in the (307-330) region of the gp120 principal neutralizing domain of different HIV-1 isolates are specifically recognized by a site distinct from the high affinity gp120-binding site of CD4. Interestingly, a peptide designed from the HIV-1 MN strain is able to enhance viral infection, while a HTLV-IIIB derived analogue is at least ten-fold less efficient and no effect is shown by other tested peptides. This enhancing effect occurs in the early step of infection and it is not strain restricted. A correlation between structure and biological functions evidenced by CD, FT-IR, and preliminary mono and bidimensional NMR is presented in this paper. The experimental data are compared to the predictions obtained by theoretical calculations.

Role of flanking variable sequences in antigenicity of consensus regions of HIV gp120 for recognition by specific human T helper clones.

Human T helper cells can discriminate among strain variants of HIV gp120 because of T cell clones recognizing non-conserved regions, as demonstrated with T cells from HIV-infected individuals and vaccinated volunteers and with primary T cell lines and clones obtained by in vitro immunization. To obtain a better definition of cross-reactions among T cell determinants within HIV gp120 variants, we used a panel of analog peptides within residues 236-251 from the BRU, MN, SF2 and RF strain sequences to induce primary human T cell lines and clones. Different patterns of response were obtained using each of the analog peptides, although they all share the consensus sequence 246-251. Clones recognizing this sequence were generated by priming with the BRU and RF analog peptides, but not with the SF2 analog peptide. SF2 did not induce any 242-245-specific clones, but only T cells recognizing the 236-240 sequence. A preferential response to residues 236-240 was obtained by priming with the BRU and SF2 peptides, but not with the MN and RF peptides. These results suggest that although the analog peptides exhibit a high degree of homology and share a consensus of the C-terminal sequence (246-251), the T cell response to the conserved sequence 246-251 is controlled by flanking sequences. Therefore the presence of a shared sequence per se does not imply in vitro expansion of clones with that fine specificity, even though such clones are available within the naive repertoire and can be triggered by an analog peptide.

Neutralization of multiple laboratory and clinical isolates of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) by antisera raised against gp120 from the MN isolate of HIV-1.

Vaccines prepared from the envelope glycoprotein, gp120, of the common laboratory isolate of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) (IIIB/LAV-1) elicit antibodies that neutralize the homologous virus but show little if any cross-neutralizing activity. This may be because the principal neutralizing determinant (PND) of gp120 is highly unusual in the IIIB/LAV-1 strain and is not representative of those found in the majority of field isolates. We have now examined the immunogenicity of recombinant gp120 prepared from the MN strain of HIV-1 (MN-rgp120), whose PND is thought to be representative of approximately 60% of the isolates in North America. Our results show that MN-rgp120 is a potent immunogen and elicits anti-gp120 titers comparable to those found in HIV-1-infected individuals. While both MN-rgp120 and IIIB-rgp120 induced antibodies able to block gp120 binding to CD4, strain-specific and type-common blocking antibodies were detected. Finally, antibodies to MN-rgp120 but not to IIIB-rgp120 were effective in neutralizing a broad range of laboratory and clinical isolates of HIV-1. These studies demonstrate that susceptibility or resistance to neutralization by antibodies to gp120 correlates with the PND sequence and suggest that the problem of antigenic variation may not be insurmountable in the development of an effective AIDS vaccine.

Synergistic neutralization of HIV-1 by human monoclonal antibodies against the V3 loop and the CD4-binding site of gp120.

Two distinct regions or epitope clusters of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp120 have been shown to elicit neutralizing antibodies: the V3 loop and the CD4-binding site. We have isolated neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies (HuMAbs) against conserved epitopes in both of these regions. In this study, we demonstrate that an equimolar mixture of two of these HuMAbs, one directed against the V3 loop and the other against the CD4-binding site, neutralizes HIV-1 at much lower concentrations than does either of the individual HuMAbs. Mathematical analysis of this effect suggests cooperative neutralization of HIV-1 by the two HuMAbs and demonstrates a high level of synergy, with combination indices (CIs) of 0.07 and 0.16 for 90% neutralization of the MN and SF-2 strains, respectively. The dose reduction indices (DRIs) for each of the two HuMAbs at 99% neutralization range approximately from 10 to 150. A possible mechanism for this synergism is suggested by binding studies with recombinant gp160 of the MN strain; these show enhanced binding of the anti-CD4 binding site HuMAb in the presence of the anti-V3 loop HuMAb. These results demonstrate the advantage of including both V3 loop and CD4-binding site epitopes in a vaccine against HIV-1 and indicate that combinations of HuMAbs against these two sites may be particularly effective in passive immunotherapy against the virus.