Given the enormous number of HIV-infected people worldwide, most epidemiologists agree that a vaccine is the only practical solution to stemming the AIDS epidemic. Although a number of different strategies could be utilized, no strategy has yet been proven to elicit a better immune response than one based on the envelope glycoprotein, gp120. These vaccines exhibit almost all the technical characteristics of an ideal vaccine. They elicit neutralizing antibodies effective against both macrophage tropic and T cell tropic strains of HIV-1. They are capable of stimulating antibodies reactive with the common polymorphisms, appear safe, and are affordable for worldwide distribution. Our goal is to generate H1V subtype C gp120 protein antigens to use in either a multivalent vaccine or as a component of a prime-boost regimen. Virus will be collected and cloned and their respective gp120 genes will be sequenced. The sequence analysis will be used to identify the polymorphisms within the neutralizing epitopes. The bioinformatic results will guide the selection of gp120 molecules that will be transiently expressed and purified. A high throughput neutralization assay will be developed in order to examine a large number of antigen combinations in a timely manner.

Proposed Commercial Applications

The potential commercial application of this research is a subtype C HIV vaccine.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II (R44)
Project #
4R44AI046903-02
Application #
6403164
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-VACC (02))
Program Officer
Ahlers, Jeffrey D
Project Start
2000-09-29
Project End
2003-08-31
Budget Start
2001-09-01
Budget End
2002-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$484,975
Indirect Cost
Name
Vaxgen, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Brisbane
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94005
Smith, Douglas H; Winters-Digiacinto, Peggy; Mitiku, Misrach et al. (2010) Comparative immunogenicity of HIV-1 clade C envelope proteins for prime/boost studies. PLoS One 5:e12076