Long-Term High-Titer Neutralizing Activity Induced by Octameric Synthetic HIV-1 Antigen

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1925584
• Publication Date: 2006-10-05T22:10:16Z
• Authors: C. Y. Wang; D. J. Looney; M. L. Li; A. M. Walfield; J. Ye; B. Hosein; J. P. Tam; F. Wong-Staal
• Keywords: AIDS Vaccines; Vaccines, Synthetic; 0303 health sciences; HIV Antigens; Guinea Pigs; Molecular Sequence Data; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Neutralization Tests; HIV-1; Animals; Female; Amino Acid Sequence

A titer for homologous viral neutralization activity (> 1:19,683) was observed after a 3.5-year immunization period with an octameric, branching peptide representing the principal neutralizing determinant (PND) of human immunodeficiency virus-1 IIIB envelope protein. Booster immunizations elicited persistent and potent antibodies in guinea pigs, exceeding responses produced by conventional bovine serum albumin conjugate 100-fold. Peptide length, central presentation conserved sequence, inclusion upstream sequence contributed to immunogenicity. Titers 1:1,000) heterotypic also developed. Octameric PND peptides are promising approach acquired syndrome (AIDS) vaccine.