Genentech, Inc.

Genetech, Inc.

Timothy J Gregory

Daniel J Capon

Phillip W Berman

Brian M Fendly

Florian M Wurm

Elorian M Wurm

The invention provides antibodies specific for HIV env, including monoclonal antibodies and related hybridomas. The antibodies block CD4/g120 binding and reduce reverse transcriptase activity in vitro.

HIV env antibodies

Novel derivatives of cell surface proteins which are homologous to the immunoglobulin superfamily (adhesons) are provided. Amino acid sequence variations are introduced into adheson, the most noteworthy of which are those in which the transmembrane and, preferably, cytoplasmic domains are rendered functionally inactive, and in which adheson extracellular domains replace an immunoglobulin variable region. These variants are useful in therapy or diagnostics, in particular, CD4 variants are therapeutically useful in the treatment of HIV infections.

Adheson variants

Nucleic acid encoding adhesion variants

Methods for making unclipped HIV env proteins are provided. According to the methods, a genetically engineered cell line comprising an nucleic acid sequence encoding an HIV env protein is cultured to produce unclipped HIV env protein, which is recovered from the cell culture.

Method for making unclipped HIV envelope protein

Methods for producing and isolating unclipped HIV env proteins are provided. According to the methods, an antibody directed to an HIV epitope spanning the env clip site is used to selectively separate unclipped HIV env protein from clipped env protein.

Method for isolation of unclipped HIV envelope protein

Novel derivatives of cell surface proteins which are homologous to the immunoglobulin superfamily (adhesons) are provided. Amino acid sequence variations are introduced into the adheson, the most noteworthy of which are those in which the transmembrane and, preferably, cytoplasmic domains are rendered functionally inactive, and in which adheson extracellular domains replace an immunoglobulin variable region. These variants are useful in therapy or diagnostics, in particular, CD4 variants are therapeutically useful in the treatment of HIV infections.

Adhesion variants

Novel derivatives of cell surface proteins which are homologous to the immunoglobulin superfamily (adhesons) are provided. Amino acid sequence variations are introduced into adheson, the most noteworthy of which are those in which the transmembrane and, preferably, cytoplasmic domains are rendered functionally inactive, and in which adheson extracellular domains replace an immunoglobulin variable region. These variants are useful in therapy or diagnostics.

Growing community of inventors

Hillsborough, CA, United States of America

Timothy J Gregory