ABSTRACT
A phase peptide library was screened with virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MCA) 2F5 which recognize a conserved epitope of HIV-1 gp41. Phages that expose peptides specifically binding with MCA 2F5 were selected by ELISA. Amino acid sequence analysis revealed a homology to region 662-671 of HIV-1 HB10 gp160 for most peptides. The major role in recognition was ascribed to Asp-664, Lys-665, and Trp-666. The epitope-mimicking peptides were tested for immunogenicity. Antibodies to gp41 were detected in serum of immunized rabbits.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology , Epitopes/chemistry , HIV Envelope Protein gp41/chemistry , HIV-1/immunology , Molecular Mimicry , Peptides/chemistry , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal/blood , Base Sequence , DNA Primers , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , HIV Envelope Protein gp41/immunology , Molecular Sequence Data , Neutralization Tests , Rabbits , Sequence Homology, Amino AcidABSTRACT
A total of 101 HIV-1 positive sera from intravenous drug users (IVDU) in Southern and South-Eastern Ukraine were serotyped using V3-mimicking peptides. Serotype B circulates in Nikolaev and type A/C in Odessa and Donetsk. Prevalence of A/C serotype in the population of IVDU is a characteristic feature of the epidemic situation in this region, in contrast to the USA and Western Europe, where subtype B circulates. Serotypical stratification indicates that routes of HIV-1 dissemination in the Ukraine differ from those in the USA and Western Europe, which should be borne in mind when planning the strategy of epidemic control.
