Studies on the immunogenicity of Chinese hamster ovary cell-derived recombinant gp120 (HIV-1IIIB)

Recombinant DNA-derived gp120 (HIV-1IIIB) expressed in chinese hamster ovary cells elicited specific humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in a variety of mammals. Antisera from immunized rabbits, sheep and goats recognized virus-derived gp120 and its precursor (gp160). Neutralizing antibodies were also elicited, but only in a few animals, and this may be related to the protein's susceptibility to cleavage through the neutralizing domain. However, in rabbits the degree of cleavage of gp120 had little or no effect on its antigenicity or immunogenicity. All antisera had limited cross-reactivity to envelope glycoproteins from a panel of HIV-1 isolates suggesting that immunodominant antibody epitopes are in variable regions of the recombinant gp120. Antigen-specific T-cell responses were detected in immunized macaques and were found to be stronger and more prolonged when gp120 was administered in Freund's adjuvant rather than alum.