Institut Pasteur

Institut National De La Recherche Scientifique

Other

Francois Clavel

Luc Montagnier

Marc Alizon

Denise Guetard

Pierre Sonigo

Mireille Guyader

Francoise Brun-Vezinet

Denise Geutard

Solange Chamaret

Jean-Claude Chermann

Francoise Barre-Sinoussi

Bernard Krust

Denise Gu&eacute;tard

Pierre Charneau

Pierre Tiollais

Christine Rouzioux

Sylvie Paulous

Christine Katlama

Marianne Rey

Denise Duetard

Lisa Chakrabarti

A method for diagnosing an HIV-2 (LAV-II) infection and a kit containing reagents for the same is disclosed. These reagents include cDNA probes which are capable of hybridizing to at least a portion of the genome of HIV-2. In one embodiment, the DNA probes are capable of hybridizing to the entire genome of HIV-2. These reagents also include polypeptides encoded by some of these DNA sequences.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) env polypeptide and diagnostic assays

Methods and kits for diagnosing human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2), proteins of HIV-2, and vaccinating agents for HIV-2

This invention includes a peptide comprising the sequence CAFRQVC and an antigenic composition using the same. It also includes an in vitro method of detecting HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies in a sample using the peptide, and a kit for carrying out the method.

Peptide comprising the sequence CAFRQVC and methods using it

This invention is directed toward the isolation of a novel retrovirus, the human immune deficiency virus type (HIV-2, previously named LAV-2), from patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) originating from West Africa. This virus is related to HIV-1, the causative agent of AIDS, both by its morphology and by its tropism and in vitro cytopathic effect on CD4 (T4) positive cell lines and lymphocytes. However, preliminary hybridization experiments indicated that there are substantiated differences between the sequences of the two genomes. Furthermore, the proteins of HIV-1 and HIV-2 have different sizes and their serological cross-reactivity is restricted to the major core protein, as the envelope glycoproteins of HIV-2 are not immunoprecipitated by HIV-1 positive sera. Overlapping molecular clones were obtained and the complete nucleotide sequence of the gag and env genes was ascertained. An antigenic envelope polypeptide having the following amino acid sequence was identified: NH -VTAIEKYLEDQARLNSWGCAFRQVC-COOH. The peptide is useful for the detection of HIV-2-specific immunological reagents.

Peptides of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2), antibodies against peptides of HIV-2, and methods and kits for detecting HIV-2

The present invention is directed toward nucleic acids containing the full-length human immunodeficiency virus type 2 ROD (HIV-2 ) pol gene. HIV-2, which was originally designated lymphadenopathy-associated virus type II (LAV-II), was isolated from AIDS patients in West Africa. The virus is genotypically and phenotypically distinct from HIV-1 and bears a closer genetic relationship to the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). The present invention describes the preparation of HIV-2 proviral molecular clones from a genomic lambda phage library of CD4 -infected cells. The complete nucleotide sequence of the full-length genome was determined and the putative gag, pol, env, vif (Q), vpr (R), vpx (X), nef (F), tat, and rev (art) genes identified. The claimed invention is directed toward nucleic acids containing the full-length HIV-2 pol gene (nt 1829-4936). These nucleic acids should prove useful as diagnostic reagents for the detection of HIV-2 and facilitate expression of the pol gene product.

CLONED DNA SEQUENCES RELATED TO THE ENTIRE GENOMIC RNA OF HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS II (HIV-2), POLYPEPTIDES ENCODED BY THESE DNA SEQUENCES AND USE OF THESE DNA CLONES AND POLYPEPTIDES IN DIAGNOSTIC KITS

Nucleic acid-based methods for the detection of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2)

The invention relates to a novel retrovirus isolated from patients in West Africa that is capable of causing lymphadenopathies and the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). This virus, which was originally designated &ldquo;LAV type II&rdquo;, &ldquo;LAV-II&rdquo;, or &ldquo;West African AIDS retrovirus&rdquo;, has been subsequently renamed the human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2). Two isolates were obtained, characterized, and designated HIV-2,and HIV-2,(C.N.C.M. deposit nos. I-502 and I-532, respectively). Radioimmunoprecipitation (RIPA) and Western blot analyses involving patient antisera identified viral proteins with molecular weights of 16 Kd (p16), 26 Kd (p26), 130-140 Kd (gp130-140), and 36 Kd (gp36). The claimed invention is directed toward kits for the detection of HIV-2 antigens comprising polyclonal and monoclonal antisera directed against these proteins.

Kits for the detection of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) antigens

Cloned DNA sequences related to the entire genomic RNA of human immunodeficiency virus II (HIV-2), polypeptides encoded by these DNA sequences and the use of these DNA clones polypeptides in diagnostic kits

This invention is directed toward polypeptides derived from novel lentiviruses. A novel lentivirus, designated the human immunodeficiency virus type 2, was isolated from West African patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Several isolates were obtained and designated HIV-2.sub.ROD, HIV-2.sub.IRMO, and HIV-2.sub.EHO. A recombinant lambda phage library was constructed from HIV-2.sub.ROD -infected CEM genomic DNA. Overlapping molecular clones were obtained and the nucleotide sequence of the complete 9.5-kilobase (kb) HIV-2.sub.ROD genome ascertained. The genetic organization of HIV-2 is analogous to that of other retroviruses and consists of the 5'LTR-gag-pol-central region-env-nef-3'LTR. The central region also encodes for the regulatory proteins Tat and Rev, as well as the ancillary proteins Vif, Vpr, and Vpx. The proteins encoded by this proviral clone will provide novel immunologic, biochemic, and diagnostic reagents useful for the detection of HIV-2.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) polypeptides and methods of

An in vitro, single cycle, recombinant virus assay (RVA) for determining inhibition of HIV replication by a protease inhibitor comprises transfecting a human epithelial cell line with amplified HIV protease sequences of an HIV virus; an HIV, envelope defective, molecular clone having a complete deletion of its protease coding sequence; and a plasmid containing HIV envelope coding sequence under the control of a promoter for phenotypic complementation of the envelope defective molecular clone. The transfected cells are cultured in the presence of a protease inhibitor to produce a testable stock of infectious particles that can be used to infect indicator cells containing an indicator gene without amplification of the infectious particles prior to infecting the indicator cells. Accumulation of indicator gene product is a measure of inhibition of HIV replication by the protease inhibitor.

Rapid single-cycle assay for human immunodeficiency virus type-1 drug

A method for diagnosing an HIV-2 (LAV-II) infection and a kit containing reagents for the same is disclosed. These reagents include cDNA probes which are capable of hybridizing to at least a portion of the genome of HIV-2. In the embodiment, the DNA probes are capable of hybridizing to the entire genome of HIV-2. These reagents also include polypeptides encoded by some of these DNA sequences.

Nucleic Acids of HIV-2, Diagnostic Test Kit and Method using Nucleic

The molecular cloning and characterization of a novel human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2), designated HIV-2.sub.ROD, is described. A recombinant .lambda. phage genomic library was screened with an HIV-2-specific probe to identify overlapping subgenomic clones. Fragments of these .lambda. phage clones were subcloned into a suitable vector to reconstitute the complete HIV-2.sub.ROD genome. The complete nucleotide sequence of this proviral clone was ascertained and the following genes and gene products identified: gag (including p16, p26, and p12), pol, vif, vpr, vpx, env, tat, rev, and nef. These gene products will be useful, inter alia, in in vitro diagnostic methods and kits for the detection of HIV-2-specific antisera.

In vitro diagnostic assay employing HIV-2 antigens for the detection of

Competitive assays for determining the effectiveness of a human

This invention discloses the identification and characterization of a novel human retrovirus, originally designated lymphadenopathy-associated virus type II, or LAV-II, and subsequently redesignated the human immunodeficiency virus type 2, or HIV-2. This virus was isolated from West African AIDS patients and propagated on immortalized lymphocytic cell lines or donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Immunological and nucleic acid hybridization studies demonstrated that HIV-2 differs significantly from HIV-1, the aetiological agent of AIDS. Additional biochemical characterization identified viral antigens having molecular weights of 16, 26, 36, and 130-140 kDa, as determined by SDS-PAGE. These proteins were subsequently designated p16, p26, gp36, and gp130-140, respectively. These antigens can be employed, inter alia, in the generation of both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, which should prove useful in diagnostic and viral antigen purification applications.

Growing community of inventors

Rockville, MD, United States of America

Francois Clavel