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Updated: Aug 3, 2026
Peptide-based Identification of Functional Motifs and their Binding Partners
Published on: June 30, 2013
Cross-clade p17 peptide recognition by antisera to HGP-30, a 30-amino acid synthetic peptide antigen from HIV type 1
D H Zimmerman1, J T Ulrich, C Wright
1CEL-SCI Corporation, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, USA.
Abstract:
HGP-30, a 30-amino acid synthetic peptide analog of HIV-1SF2 p17 (aa 86-115), was used to immunize both mice and humans. Since the amino acid sequence of HGP-30 is relatively conserved among different HIV-1 strains and clades, experiments were carried out to determine if antisera obtained by immunizing animals and humans can recognize HGP-30-related peptide consensus sequences belonging to different clades. Results show that antisera from mice immunized with HGP-30 can recognize clade B and C and to a lesser degree clade A and E consensus sequences of HIV-1, in addition to recognizing HGP-30 sequence. The cross-clade recognition was higher in mouse sera obtained on day 42 than on day 14 or 28. MPL/SE and Novasomes were better adjuvants than alum in inducing antibodies that showed cross-clade recognition and IgG2a and IgG2b antibody isotypes. Similar cross-clade recognition was observed in several sera from humans immunized with an HGP-30/KLH/alum formulation. The human sera from HGP-30-immunized subjects evaluated for cross-clade recognition of HGP-30 peptides were from subjects whose cells showed significant protection from HIV infection on virus challenge in the hu-PBL-SCID mouse model. These studies suggest that HGP-30 may be useful as a candidate vaccine antigen for populations in countries with prevalence of different HIV clades.
Insights
HGP-30, a synthetic peptide, successfully elicited cross-clade antibodies in mice and humans against various human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) strains. This suggests HGP-30’s potential as a vaccine antigen for diverse global populations.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Vaccine Development
Background:
- The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) exhibits significant genetic diversity across different clades.
- Developing a broadly protective HIV vaccine requires targeting conserved viral epitopes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the cross-clade immunogenicity of HGP-30, a synthetic peptide analog of HIV-1SF2 p17.
- To assess the potential of HGP-30 as a vaccine antigen for diverse HIV-1 clades.
Main Methods:
- Mice and humans were immunized with HGP-30 peptide.
- Antisera were tested for recognition of HGP-30 and consensus peptide sequences from different HIV-1 clades.
- Antibody isotypes and adjuvant efficacy (MPL/SE, Novasomes, alum) were analyzed.
- Human sera from immunized subjects were assessed for protection in the hu-PBL-SCID mouse model.
Main Results:
- HGP-30 immunization induced antibodies recognizing multiple HIV-1 clades (B, C, A, E) in mice.
- Cross-clade recognition in mice was enhanced with specific adjuvants (MPL/SE, Novasomes) and later time points.
- Human sera from HGP-30 immunization demonstrated similar cross-clade recognition.
- Human sera correlated with protection against HIV infection in the hu-PBL-SCID mouse model.
Conclusions:
- HGP-30 elicits cross-clade immune responses in both animal models and humans.
- The synthetic peptide HGP-30 shows promise as a candidate vaccine antigen for a global HIV vaccine.
- Adjuvant choice significantly impacts the quality and breadth of the antibody response.
