Cross-neutralizing activity against divergent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 isolates induced by the gp41 sequence ELDKWAS

Previously we identified the highly conserved amino acids Glu-Leu-Asp- Lys-Trp-Ala (ELDKWA) on the ecto-domain of gp41 as the epitope of a neutralizing monoclonal antibody (2F5) directed against human immunodeficiency virus type 1. In the present study, the sequence defining the epitope was introduced into the loop of antigenic site B of the influenza virus hemagglutinin. The resulting chimeric virus was able to elicit ELDKWA- specific immunoglobulins G and A in antisera of mice. Moreover, the distantly related human immunodeficiency virus type 1 isolates MN, RF, and IIIB were neutralized by these antisera. These data suggest that this conserved B-cell epitope is a promising candidate for inclusion in a vaccine against AIDS. The results also show that influenza virus can be used to effectively present the antigenic structure of this B-cell epitope.