Abstract
Genetic variation of HIV-1 represents a major obstacle for AIDS vaccine development. With the amino acid sequence divergence as high as 30% in envelopes between different subtypes among HIV-1 group M viruses, it is unlikely that cross-subtype protection will occur equally well among all subtypes. Computer programs have been used to generate 'centralized' HIV gene sequences: consensus, ancestor or center of the free. These sequences can decrease the genetic distances between the 'centralized' and wild-type gene immunogens to half of those between any wild-type immuongens to each other, Recent studies demonstrated that an artificial group M consensus env gene is equidistant from any subtype and recombinants. It is biologically functional and preserves antigenicity similar to contemporary Env proteins. Most importantly, the group M consensus Env immunogen can elicit both T- and B-cell responses to wild-type HIV-1 isolates.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | S161-S168 |
Journal | Expert review of vaccines |
Volume | 3 |
Issue number | 4 SUPPL. |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 2004 |
Keywords
- Consensus
- Diversity
- Immunogen
- Vaccine
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology
- Molecular Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Drug Discovery