OBJECTIVE: To develop effective, specific and safe anti-idiotypic antibody (Ab2) vaccines against HIV-1. DESIGN: Murine monoclonal Ab2 were generated against anti-HIV-1 antibody 0.5 beta (Ab1), which binds to gp120, neutralizes HIV-1 and inhibits virus-induced syncytia formation. METHODS: Mice were immunized with Ab1, and Ab2 were produced from immunized mice by the hybridoma technique. The Ab2 were characterized in vitro, injected into rabbits, and the anti-anti-idiotypes (Ab3) induced in the rabbits were analyzed for binding and antiviral reactivities by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, p24gag release and syncytia formation assays. RESULTS: Seven Ab2 bound to the antigen-combining site of Ab1, one of which (UD7) induced Ab3 in rabbits that were Ab1-like in their binding reactivities to PB1 (recombinant gp120 fragment) or peptides of gp120, and shared idiotypes with the Ab1. Crude Ab3-containing sera specifically and effectively neutralized the virus. CONCLUSION: Monoclonal Ab2 UD7 has potential as a vaccine against HIV-1.
OBJECTIVE: To develop effective, specific and safe anti-idiotypic antibody (Ab2) vaccines against HIV-1. DESIGN:Murine monoclonal Ab2 were generated against anti-HIV-1 antibody 0.5 beta (Ab1), which binds to gp120, neutralizes HIV-1 and inhibits virus-induced syncytia formation. METHODS:Mice were immunized with Ab1, and Ab2 were produced from immunized mice by the hybridoma technique. The Ab2 were characterized in vitro, injected into rabbits, and the anti-anti-idiotypes (Ab3) induced in the rabbits were analyzed for binding and antiviral reactivities by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, p24gag release and syncytia formation assays. RESULTS: Seven Ab2 bound to the antigen-combining site of Ab1, one of which (UD7) induced Ab3 in rabbits that were Ab1-like in their binding reactivities to PB1 (recombinant gp120 fragment) or peptides of gp120, and shared idiotypes with the Ab1. Crude Ab3-containing sera specifically and effectively neutralized the virus. CONCLUSION: Monoclonal Ab2 UD7 has potential as a vaccine against HIV-1.