Abstract
Recent investigations on the passive immunization have proved that neutralizing antibodies directed to the membrane-proximal region of HIV-1 gp41 are potent anti-viral components, so this region is thought to be an attractive target for AIDS vaccine. Three key neutralizing epitopes, ELDKWA (aa662-667), NWFDIT (aa671-676) and ERDRDR (aa739-744) have been mapped in this region. In this study, their genetic variability and co-variation was evaluated. There exists marked shift in the predominant sequence patterns on these three neutralizing epitopes over time. Compared with subtype B, non-B clades exhibit significant genetic variability and co-variation on these three epitopes. Among HIV-1 strains isolated in recent 5 years, about one third displays epitope variants simultaneously on three epitopes. The newly isolated strains with co-variations on several neutralizing epitopes ought to be of strict surveillance in clinical treatment, and those frequent epitope variants should also be considered in vaccine design.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 180-186 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Immunology Letters |
Volume | 106 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 15 2006 |
Keywords
- Co-variation
- Genetic variability
- gp41
- HIV-1
- Neutralizing epitopes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology
- Immunology and Allergy