Description of Invention:
This invention embodies a method for generating antibodies to HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins, which could hold powerful implications toward both the diagnosis and the treatment of AIDS. Specifically, the method involves the expression of a soluble protein, gp140, and the generation of antibodies to this protein. gp140 is a recombinant version of gp160, a protein which normally is cleaved in vivo to generate two glycoprotein subunits which are expressed on the surface of the HIV-1 envelope. Unlike previously isolated versions of gp160, gp140 is purified in a manner which preserves the quaternary structural elements of the protein. Due to the conserved nature of these structural elements, antibodies generated against gp140 may be more broadly reactive against various forms of AIDS than other antibodies generated to date.
Inventors:
Patricia L. Earl (NIAID) Chris C. Broder (NIAID) Robert W. Doms (NIAID) Bernard Moss (NIAID)
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-200-1993/0 --
U.S. Patent No. 6,039,957 issued 21 Mar 2000
DHHS Reference No. E-200-1993/1 --
U.S. Patent No. 6,171,596 issued 09 Jan 2001
For Additional Information Please Contact: Susan Ano Ph.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
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Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301) 435-5515
Email: anos@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301) 402-0220
