A major challenge for the subunit vaccine approach to AIDS is the induction of broadly cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies. Recent human trials with recombinant glycoprotein 120 vaccines indicate that many as yet undefined problems lie ahead. On the other hand, a few conformationally sensitive monoclonal antibodies have been identified including those cloned from infected individuals demonstrating that a natural origin for potent, broadly cross-reactive neutralizing responses in humans exists. Our proposal is directed to the identification of synthetic peptide mimetics corresponding to epitopes defined by these antibodies. for this work, we will rely on new procedures developed in our laboratory for folding peptides with covalent hydrogen bond.mimics. A strong structural group at TSRI will collaborate on this project for structure prediction, and X-ray crystallography. Mimetics will be incorporated into MAPS with """"""""universal"""""""" T-cell epitopes and their immunogenicity evaluated in animals. HIV-I neutralization assays will be carried out by our collaborators.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01AI037512-01
Application #
2074275
Study Section
AIDS and Related Research Study Section 1 (ARRA)
Project Start
1994-12-01
Project End
1997-11-30
Budget Start
1994-12-01
Budget End
1995-11-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1995
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Scripps Research Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92037
Cabezas, E; Wang, M; Parren, P W et al. (2000) A structure-based approach to a synthetic vaccine for HIV-1. Biochemistry 39:14377-91
Stanfield, R; Cabezas, E; Satterthwait, A et al. (1999) Dual conformations for the HIV-1 gp120 V3 loop in complexes with different neutralizing fabs. Structure 7:131-42
Ghiara, J B; Ferguson, D C; Satterthwait, A C et al. (1997) Structure-based design of a constrained peptide mimic of the HIV-1 V3 loop neutralization site. J Mol Biol 266:31-9