Polyclonal antibodies to mannan from yeast also recognize... : AIDS (original) (raw)

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Polyclonal antibodies to mannan from yeast also recognize the carbohydrate structure of gp120 of the AIDS virus

an approach to raise neutralizing antibodies to HIV-1 infection in vitro

Müller, Werner EG.; Schröder, Heinz C.; Reuter, Petra; Maidhof, Armin; Uhlenbruck, Gerd*; Winkler, Irvin†

From the Institut für Physiologische Chemie, Abteilung 'Angewandte Molekularbiologie', Universität, Duesbergweg 6, D-6500 Mainz

*Institut für Immunbiologie, Medizinische Fakultät, Universität Köln, Kerpener Strasse 15, D-5000 Köln 41

†Hoechst AG, Abteilung Chemotherapie, D-6230 Frankfurt (M) 80, FRG.

Abstract

This study initiates a new method of developing an antigen which might be useful in the prevention of HIV-1 infection. Using a mannan preparation from Saccharomyces cerevisiae neutralizing antiserum was raised in rabbits which prevents HIV-1 infection in vitro up to a titre of 1:128. The corresponding antibody preparation neutralized the in vitro infectivity down to a concentration of 5 μg/ml. Analytical studies suggest that the antibodies are directed against the mannose residues of the HIV-1 glycoprotein (gp) 120 and its precursor gp160.