BIOCHEMICAL AND IMMUNOLOGIC CHARACTERIZATIONS OF HIV ENVELOPE GLYCOPROTEINS EXPRESSED BY RECOMBINANT VACCINIA VIRUS

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

BIOCHEMICAL AND IMMUNOLOGIC CHARACTERIZATIONS OF HIV ENVELOPE GLYCOPROTEINS EXPRESSED BY RECOMBINANT VACCINIA VIRUS

AIDS Vaccine Research and Clinical Trials. Putney SD and Bolognesi DP, eds. New York, Marcel Dekker, p. 197-217, 1990.. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/91676949
Hu SL; Oncogen, Seattle, WA

Abstract: Vaccinia virus has been used successfully for centuries as the vaccine against smallpox. Recombinant vaccinia viruses have been constructed to express the envelope glycoproteins of HIV-1. Biochemical and immunologic characterization of these proteins is reviewed, and preliminary results of the evaluation of these recombinants as potential AIDS vaccines is discussed. Recombinant-made HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins are expressed correctly and are biologically active. Mutational analyses of the recombinant proteins permit the definition of functional domains important to the cellular localization and the CD4-binding activity of HIV envelope glycoproteins. The extraordinarily high degree of genetic variability observed in HIV poses a major challenge to the development of an AIDS vaccine. Immunization with recombinant vaccinia-HIVenv virus elicits HIV-specific immune responses, including neutralization antibodies, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, and helper T-cell and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte functions. It is unclear if any of these immune responses could result in protection against AIDS. Proper animal models and extensive clinical trials will be needed. Although recombinant vaccinia virus offers several unique advantages as an approach to AIDS vaccine, concern exists about its safety among populations with high HIV infections, because one of the more common complications of current use of vaccinia viruses is generalized vaccinia in immunocompromised persons. (80 Refs)

Keywords: Animal Antigenic Variation/IMMUNOLOGY Antigens, CD4/IMMUNOLOGY Chimpansee troglodytes Human HIV Antibodies/BIOSYNTHESIS HIV Antigens/*IMMUNOLOGY HIV Infections/*IMMUNOLOGY/PREVENTION & CONTROL HIV-1/IMMUNOLOGY Membrane Glycoproteins/*IMMUNOLOGY T-Lymphocytes/IMMUNOLOGY Vaccines, Synthetic/*IMMUNOLOGY Vaccinia Virus/*IMMUNOLOGY Viral Envelope Proteins/*IMMUNOLOGY Viral Vaccines/*IMMUNOLOGY MONOGRAPH REVIEW
912130
M91C4092

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