Synthetic mimetics of the CD4 binding site of HIV-1 gp120 for the design of immunogens

Abstract

(Figure Presented) Do you copy? The epitope of the broadly neutralizing anti-HIV-1 antibody mAbb12 overlaps the CD4 binding site (CD4bs) of the viral envelope glycoprotein gp120 (see picture). Synthetic mimetics of the CD4bs are therefore promising immunogen candidates to elicit a broadly neutralizing immune response. Polyclonal antisera against such a mimetic molecule specifically recognize gp120 and compete with mAbb12 for binding to gp120. © 2007 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.