Patent 6,911,527

This invention is the discovery of novel specific epitopes and antibodies associated with long term survival of HIV-1 infections. These epitopes and antibodies have use in preparing vaccines for preventing HIV-1 infection or for controlling progression to AIDS.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Introduction

This invention provides for peptides and antibodies which are associated with long term survival of persons infected with HIV-1. Immunogenic peptides are identified herein and are correlated with HIV-specific proteins. Other immunogenic peptides are conformational equivalents of epitopes on HIV-1 proteins and have little amino acid identity to known HIV-1 proteins. The following teaches those of skill how to make and use the peptides of this invention.

Method for identifying antibodies specific to persons resistant to disease progression.

Persons harboring infectious agents that are initially dormant and then progress into clinical disease states present a problem to clinicians. Persons who do not rapidly progress to the clinical state are considered resistant. Often the reason for a person's resistance is unknown but the immune system is thought to play a part in the delay of clinical manifestations of the disease. HIV-1 infection is a classic example of this phenomenon, but other diseases such as Herpes simplex and Herpes zoster infections, lyme disease, infection with the hepatitis viruses, and tuberculosis follow this general pattern.

To identify antibodies specific to resistance one simply collects a representative sample of the antibodies in healthy, chronically infected and acutely infected persons. The antibodies are then screened and comparisons made to determine the unique antibodies to the pathogens that are present in the resistant persons. There are numerous means to achieve this which would be immediately apparent to those of skill once the importance of the selection of resistant persons is noted as it was in the instant situation with HIV-1.

More particularly, one immobilizes the antibodies from infected persons and independently creates a random peptide library using any number of means including synthetic peptide chemistry, phage display technology, and other virally based peptide display technology. Methods for the production of phage display libraries, including vectors and methods of diversifying the population of peptides which are expressed, are well known in the art. (See, for example, Smith and Scott, Methods Enzymol. 217:228-257 (1993); Scott and Smith, Science 249:386-390 (1990); and Huse, WO 91/07141 and WO 91/07149. Cyclic peptide libraries also are well known in the art (see, for example, Koivunen et al., Methods Enzymol. 245:346-369 (1994)). These or other well known methods can be used to produce a phage display library

The library is blocked by contact with non-immobilized antibodies from healthy sera, or selectively screened for disease-specific peptides using an immunoaffinity column prepared with healthy sera and the eluant subsequently used for further selection. In either case, the disease-enriched library is then contacted with immobilized antibodies from resistant persons or from acutely infected persons and the two populations of antibodies are contrasted using conventional technology to identify the antibodies that are specifically found in the sera of resistant individuals.

Alternatively, a strategy based on positive selection may be employed wherein a pool of clones bound by serum antibodies from a single resistant (or acutely infected) person is identified using an immunoaffinity column. The pool of clones is then individually screened for those clones that react with a second, different serum from a person of the same disease status as that of the source of the first serum. The positive clones identified with the second serum are then analyzed for their frequency and selectivity of reaction with sera from resistant or acutely infected persons and healthy persons using conventional techniques such as ELISA.

In the example section, one procedure is provided; however, those of skill should recognize that a number of variations on this procedure will lead to the identification of antibodies and antigens that are specific to those persons demonstrating long term resistance to a disease or infection.

Manufacture of Reptides for raising HIV-specific antibodies

The peptides of the invention can be prepared in a wide variety of ways. The peptides can be synthesized in solution or on a solid support in accordance with conventional techniques. Various automatic synthesizers are commercially available and can be used in accordance with known protocols. See, for example, Stewart & Young, SOLID PHASE PEPTIDE SYNTHESIS, 2D. ED., Pierce Chemical Co. (1984).

Alternatively, recombinant DNA technology may be employed wherein a nucleotide sequence which encodes a peptide of interest is inserted into an expression vector, transformed or transfected into an appropriate host cell and cultivated under conditions suitable for expression. It will be understood by those of skill in the art that peptide compositions containing multiple peptides may be produced by engineering a nucleic acid sequence to encode a fusion protein comprising the multiple peptide sequences. These procedures are generally known in the art, as described generally in, for example, Sambrook et al., MOLECULAR CLONING, A LABORATORY MANUAL, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989).

Expression vectors suitable for use in the present invention may comprise at least one expression control element operationally linked to the nucleic acid sequence. Expression control elements are inserted in the vector to control and regulate the expression of the nucleic acid sequence. Additional preferred or required operational elements include, but are not limited to, a leader sequence, termination codons, polyadenylation signals, and any other sequences necessary or preferred for the appropriate transcription and subsequent translation of the nucleic acid sequence in the host system. It will be understood by one skilled in the art the correct combination of required or preferred expression control elements will depend on the host system chosen. It will further be understood that the expression vector should contain additional elements necessary for the transfer and subsequent replication of the expression vector containing the nucleic acid sequence in the host system. Examples of such elements include, but are not limited to, origins of replication and selectable markers. It will further be understood by one skilled in the art that such vectors are easily constructed using conventional methods (see, e.g., Ausubel et al. in "Current Protocols in Molecular Biology", John Wiley and Sons, New York, N.Y. (1987)) or are commercially available.

Modification of Peptides

With regard to protein based vaccines of the invention, there are a number of strategies for amplifying an immunogen's effectiveness, particularly as related to the art of vaccines. These include strategies whereby an immunogenic peptide may be directly modified to enhance immunogenicity or physical properties such as stability. For example, cyclization or circularization of a peptide can increase the peptide's antigenic and immunogenic potency. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,001,049 which is incorporated by reference herein.

The immunogenicity of the peptides of the present invention may also be modulated by coupling to fatty acid moieties to produce lipidated peptides. Convenient fatty acid moieties include glycolipid analogs, N-palmityl-S2RS)2,3-bis-(palmitoyloxy)pmopyl-cysteinyl-serine (PAM3 Cys-Ser), N-palmityl-S-[2,3 bis (palmitoyloxy)-(2RS)-propyl-[R]-cysteine (TPC) or adipalmityl-lysine moiety

The peptides may also be conjugated to a lipidated amino acid, such as an octadecyl ester of an aromatic acid, such as tyrosine, including actadecyl-tryrosine (OTH).

Protein Analogs

Protein analogs are defined functionally as those compounds that will act chemically and biologically as the peptides provided herein. In particular the invention includes analogs which bind with fidelity to the antibodies which are generated using the peptides described herein. The analogs will find advantage as more stable and as having longer half life under in vivo conditions. In addition, it may also be advantageous to modify the peptides in order to impose a conformational restraint upon it. This may be useful, for example, to mimic a naturally-occurring conformation of the peptide in the context of the native protein in order to optimize the effector immune responses that are elicited. Modified peptides are referred to herein as "analog" peptides. The term "analog" extends to any functional and/or structural equivalent of a peptide characterized by its increased stability and/or efficacy in vivo or in vitro in respect of the practice of the invention. The term "analog" also is used herein to extend to any amino acid derivative of the peptides as described herein.

Analogs of the peptides contemplated herein include, but are not limited to, modifications to side chains; and incorporation of unnatural amino acids and/or their derivatives, non-amino acid monomers and cross-linkers. Other methods which impose conformational constraint on the peptides or their analogs are also contemplated.

It will be apparent that the peptide of the invention can be modified in a variety of different ways without significantly affecting the functionally important immunogenic behavior thereof. Possible modifications to the peptide sequence may include the following:

One or more individual amino acids can be substituted by amino acids having comparable or similar properties,

One or more of the amino acids of the peptides of the invention can be replaced by a "retro-inverso" amino acid, i.e., a bifunctional amine having a functional group corresponding to an amino acid, as discussed in WO 91/13909

One or more amino acids can be deleted or added. Added amino acids may, for example, comprise residues that correspond to phage coat protein sequences that are adjacent to the phagotope sequence.

Structural analogs mimicking the 3-dimensional structure of the peptide can be used in place of the peptide itself.

Examples of side chain modifications contemplated by the present invention include modification of amino groups, such as by reductive alkylation by reaction with an aldehyde followed by reduction with NaBH₄; amidination with methylacetimidate; acylation with acetic anhydride; carbamoylation of amino groups with cyanate; trinitrobenzylation of amino groups with 2, 4, 6, trinitrobenzene sulfphonic acid (TNBS); acylation of amino groups with succinic anhydride and tetrahydrophthalic anhydride; and pyridoxylation of lysine with pyridoxal-5′-phosphate followed by reduction with NaBH₄.

The guanidino group of arginine residues may be modified by the formation of heterocyclic condensation products with reagents such as 2,3-butanedione, phenylglyoxal and glyoxal.

The carboxyl group may be modified by carbodiimide activation via O-acylisourea formation followed by subsequent derivatization, for example, to a corresponding amide.

Sulfhydryl groups may be modified by methods such as carboxy-methylation with iodoacetic acid or iodoacetamide; performic acid oxidation to cysteic acid; formation of mixed disulphides with other thiol compounds; reaction with maleimide, maleic anhydride or other substituted maleimide; formation of mercurial derivatives using 4-chloromercur-ibenzoate, 4-chloromercuriphenylsulfonic acid, phenylmercury chloride, 2-chloromercuric-4-nitrophenol and other mercurials; and carbamoylation with cyanate at alkaline pH.

Tryptophan residues may be modified by, for example, oxidation with N-bromosuccinimide or alkylation of the indole ring with 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl bromide or sulphenyl halides. Tryosine residues on the other hand, may be altered by nitration with tetranitromethane to form a 3-nitrotyrosine derivative.

Modification of the imidazole ring of a histidine residue may be accomplished by alkylation with iodoacetic acid derivatives or N-carbethoxylation with diethylpyrocarbonate.

Examples of incorporating unnatural amino acids and derivatives during peptide synthesis include, but are not limited to, use of norleucine, 4-amino butyric acid, 4amino-3-hydroxy-5-phenylpentanoic acid, 6-aminohexanoic acid, t-butyglycine, norvaline, phenylglycine, ornithine, sarcosine, 4-amino-3-hydroxy-6-methylheptanoic acid, 2-thienylalanine, and/or D-isomers of amino acids.

Crosslinkers can be used, for example, to stabilize 3-dimensional conformations, using homo-bifunctional crosslinkers such as the bifunctional imido esters having (CH2)[n], spacer groups with n=1 to n=6, glutaraldehyde, N-hydroxysuccinimide esters and hetero-bifunctional reagents which usually contain an amino-reactive moiety such as N-hydroxysuccinimide and another group specific-reactive moiety such as maleimido or dithio (for SH) or carbodiimide (for COOH). In addition, peptides could be conformationally constrained by, for example, incorporation of alpha-methylamino acids, introduction of double bonds between adjacent C atoms of amino acids and the formation of cyclic peptides or analogs by introducing covalent bonds such as forming an amide bond between N and C termini, between two side chains or between a side chain and the N or C terminus.

Conjugation to other peptides or polypeptides

The peptides of the invention or their analogs may occur as a single length or as multiple tandem or non-tandem repeats. A single type of peptide or analog may form the repeats or the repeats may be composed of different molecules including a suitable carrier.

The use of the peptides provided herein under in viva conditions may require their chemical modification since the peptides themselves may not have a sufficiently long scrum and/or tissue half-life. For this purpose, the peptides may optionally be linked to a carrier molecule, possibly via chemical groups of amino acids of the peptide or via additional amino acids added at the C- or N-terminus.

A small peptide antigen can be conjugated to a suitable carrier, usually a protein molecule, to enhance its immunogenicity. This procedure has several facets. It can allow multiple copies of an antigen, such as a peptide, to be conjugated to a single larger carrier molecule. Additionally, the carrier may possess properties which facilitate transport, binding, absorption or transfer of the antigen. The conjugation between a peptide and a carrier can be accomplished using one of the methods known in the art. Specifically, conjugation can be performed using bifunctional cross-linkers as binding agents as detailed, for example, by Means and Feeney, Bioconjugate Chem. 1:2-12 (1990). Many suitable linkages are known, e.g., using the side chains of Tyr residues. Suitable carriers are well known in the art, and include, e.g., keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), thyroglobulin, serum albumin, purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD), ovalbumin, tetanus toxoid, non-protein carriers and many others.

The immunogenicity of the peptide compositions of the present invention may further be enhanced by linking the peptides to one or more peptide sequences that are able to a elicit a cellular immune response (see, e.g., WO94/20127). Peptides that stimulate cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses as well as peptides that stimulate helper T lymphocyte (HTL) responses are useful for linkage to the peptides of the invention. The peptides may be linked by a spacer molecule. The spacer is typically comprised of relatively small, neutral molecules, such as amino acids or amino acids mimetics, which are uncharged under physiological conditions.

A peptide of the invention may be linked to a T helper peptide that is recognized by T helper cells in the majority of the population. This can be accomplished by selecting amino acid sequences that bind to many, most, or all of the HLA class II molecules. An example of such a T helper peptide is tetanus toxoid at positions 830-843 (see, e.g., Panina-Bordignon et al., Eur. J. Immunol., 19:2237-2242 (1989)).

Further, a peptide may be linked to multiple antigenic determinants to enhance immunogenicity. For example, in order to elicit recognition by T cells of multiple HLA types, a synthetic peptide encoding multiple overlapping T cell antigenic determinants (cluster peptides) may be used to enhance immunogenicity (see, e.g., Ahlers et al., J. Immunol. 150:5647-5665 (1993). Such cluster peptides contain overlapping, but distinct antigenic determinants. The cluster peptide may be synthesized colinearly with a peptide of the invention. In one embodiment, the cluster peptide may be positioned at the amino terminal end of a peptide of the invention. The cluster peptide may be linked to a peptide of the invention by one or more spacer molecules.

A peptide composition comprising a peptide of the invention linked to a cluster peptide may also be used in conjunction with a cluster peptide linked to a CTL-inducting epitope. Such compositions may be administered via alternate routes or using different adjuvants.

Alternatively multiple peptides encoding CTL and/or HTL epitopes may be used in conjunction with a peptide of the invention.

One embodiment for the use of multiple peptide epitopes known as the multiple antigen peptide system (MAP), utilizes a small peptidyl core matrix with covalently attached, radially branching, multiple synthetic peptides. See, for example, Tam, J. P., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 85:5409-5413 (1988). The MAP system is a combination antigen/antigen carrier that is composed of two or more antigenic molecules covalently attached to a dendritic core that is comprised of bifunctional units. The dendritic core of a multiple antigen peptide system can be composed of lysine molecules. For example, a lysine is attached via peptide bonds through each of its amino groups to two additional lysines. This second generation molecule has four free amino groups each of which can be covalently linked to an additional lysine to form a third generation molecule with eight free amino groups. A peptide may be attached to each of these free groups to form an octavalent multiple peptide antigen. Alternatively, the second generation molecule having four free amino groups can be used to form a tetravalent MAPS, i.e., a MAPS having four peptides covalently linked to the core. Many other molecules, including aspartic acid and glutamic acid, can be used to form the dendritic core of a multiple peptide antigen system. The dendritic core, and the entire MAPS may be conveniently synthesized on a solid resin using the classic Merrifield synthesis procedure.

Multiple antigen peptide systems have many advantages as antigen carrier systems. Their exact structure and composition is known; the ratio of antigen to carrier is quite high; and several different antigens, e.g., a B cell epitope such as a peptide of the invention, and a T cell epitope, may be attached to a single dendritic core. When both a B cell epitope and a T cell epitope are present it is preferable that they are linked in tandem on the same functional group of the dendritic core. Alternatively, the T cell epitope and the B cell epitope may be on separate branches of the dendritic core. The T-cell epitope may be a CTL or HTL-inducing antigenic determinant.

Pseudomonas toxin conjugation

In another embodiment, the peptides of this invention provides a vaccine comprising a chimeric Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) protein in which the peptides of this invention are inserted into the Ib domain of the exotoxin. Such chimeric constructs are described in FitzGerald et al., J. Biol. Chem., 273:9951 (1998).

Pseudomonas exotoxin A has been shown to act as a carrier-adjuvant for antigens. The protein comprises three prominent globular domains (Ia, II and III) and one small subdomain (Ib). Domain Ia binds to a receptor on most mammalian cell surfaces. Domain II translocates the protein into the cytosol. Domain II has ADP-ribosylating activity which shuts down protein synthesis. The protein can be made non-toxic by, for example, deleting amino acid E553. The protein also can be directed to different cells by exchanging the cell binding domain with ligands for other receptors or antibodies. It comprises a loop formed from a disulfide bond between two amino acids in the domain.

Various genetically modified forms of PE are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,602,095; 5,512,658; 5,458,878, and in FitzGerald et al., PCT/US98/14341.

FitzGerald et al. teach a method for replacing amino acid sequences in this loop with sequences from HIV which is applicable to the peptides of this invention. They showed that the non-toxic form of this chimeric protein could elicit HIV-neutralizing antibodies when injected into rabbits. Furthermore, because the chimera gains entry into the cytosol, it may result in the generation of viral peptides and presentation via major histocompatibility complex class I antigens.

Accordingly, this invention provides a recombinant nucleic acid that comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a chimeric Pseudomonas exotoxin A protein wherein a nucleotide sequence encoding a peptide of this invention is inserted into a nucleotide sequence encoding the lb loop of Pseudomonas exotoxin A. The peptide of this invention can merely be inserted into the loop or can replace part or all of the loop. In an alternative embodiment, the nucleotide sequence can comprise a nucleotide sequence encoding a ligand for a receptor of choice, wherein the ligand replaces all or part of the Ia domain. In another embodiment, the recombinant nucleic acid is an expression vector comprising an expression control sequence operatively linked to the nucleotide sequence encoding the chimeric immunogen. A host cell can be transfected with the recombinant nucleic acid and the chimeric protein can be expressed thereby.

FitzGerald et al. showed that the chimeric protein can be expressed in a bacterial cell and properly folded so as to have activity. The resulting chimeric immunogens can be used in a vaccine to immunize persons against HIV.

Preparation of peptide-specific antibodies

Monoclonal Antibodies

The monoclonal antibodies of the invention can be made by conventional techniques which are commonly used in hybridoma production (see, e.g. CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN IMMUNOLOGY, Wiley/Greene, NY; and Antibodies A Laboratory Manual, Harlow and Lane, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989). In brief, mice are immunized with the peptides of this invention. B-cells are taken from the spleens of the immunized mice and fused with NS-1 myeloma cells. Polyethylene glycol mixed with dimethyl suffoxide (DMSO) in calcium- and magnesium-free phosphate buffered saline (PBS) can be used as the fusion reagent. The hybridomas generated from the fusion are then transferred to 96 well microtiter plates and grown.

Polyclonal Antibodies

Methods of production of polyclonal antibodies are known to those of skill in the art (e.g., Wiley/Greene and Harlow & Lane, ibid.). In brief, an immunogen, preferably a purified protein, is mixed with an adjuvant and animals are immunized. The animal's immune response to the immunogen preparation is monitored by taking test bleeds and determining the titer of reactivity to the administered protein. When appropriately high titers of antibody to the immunogen are obtained, blood is collected from the animal and antisera are prepared. Further fractionation of the antisera to enrich for antibodies reactive to the protein can be performed if desired.

Single Chain Antibodies

Preferred antibodies include single chain antibodies (antibodies that exist as a single polypeptide chain), more preferably single chain Fv antibodies (sFv or scFv) in which a variable heavy and a variable light chain are joined together (directly or through a peptide linker) to form a continuous polypeptide. The single chain Fv antibody is a covalently linked VH-VL heterodimer which may be expressed from a nucleic acid including VH- and VL-encoding sequences either joined directly or joined by a peptide-encoding linker. Huston et al., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA, 85:5879-5883 (1988). While the VH and VL are connected to each as a single polypeptide chain, the VH and VL domains associate non-covalently. The first functional antibody molecules to be expressed on the surface of filamentous phage were single-chain Fv's (scFv), however, alternative expression strategies have also been successful. For example Fab molecules can be displayed on phage if one of the chains (heavy or light) is fused to g3 capsid protein and the complementary chain exported to the periplasm as a soluble molecule. The two chains can be encoded on the same or on different replicons; the important point is that the two antibody chains in each Fab molecule assemble post-translationally and the dimer is incorporated into the phage particle via linkage of one of the chains to g3p (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,743). The scFv antibodies and a number of other structures converting the naturally aggregated, but chemically separated light and heavy polypeptide chains from an antibody V region into a molecule that folds into a three dimensional structure substantially similar to the structure of an antigen-binding site are known to those of skill in the art (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,091,513; 5,132,405; and 4,956,778). Particularly preferred antibodies include all those that have been displayed on phage (e.g., scFv, Fv, Fab and disulfide linked Fv (Reiter et al., Protein Eng,. 8:1323-1331 (1995)). Antibodies can also include diantibodies and miniantibodies.

Formulation of Immunogenic Compositions

Immunogenic compositions suitable for use as vaccines may be prepared from immunogenic peptides as disclosed herein. The immunogenic composition elicits an immune response which produces antibodies that are opsonizing or antiviral. Should the vaccinated subject be challenged by HIV-1, the antibodies bind to the virus and thereby inactivate it.

Vaccines containing peptides are generally well known in the art, as exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,601,903; 4,599,231; 4,599,230; and 4,596,792. Vaccines may be prepared as injectables, as liquid solutions or emulsions. The peptides may be mixed with pharmaceutically-acceptable excipients which are compatible with the peptides. Excipients may include water, saline, dextrose, glycerol, ethanol, and combinations thereof. The vaccine may further contain auxiliary substances such as wetting or emulsifying agents, pH buffering agents, or adjuvants to enhance the effectiveness of the vaccines.

More specifically, the immunogens of this invention may be combined or mixed with various solutions and other compounds as is known in the art. For example, an immunogen may be administered in water, saline or buffered vehicles with or without various adjuvants or immunodiluting agents. Examples of such adjuvants or agents include aluminum hydroxide, aluminum phosphate, aluminum potassium sulfate (alum), beryllium sulfate, silica, kaolin, carbon, water-in-oil emulsions, oil-in-water emulsions, muramyl dipeptide, bacterial endotoxin, lipid X, Corynebacterium parvum (Propionobacterium acnes), Bordetella pertussis, polyribonucleotides, sodium alginate, lanolin, lysolecithin, vitamin A, saponin, liposomes, levamisole, DEAE-dextran, blocked copolymers or other synthetic adjuvants. Such adjuvants are available commercially from various sources, for example, Merck Adjuvant 65 (Merck and Company, Inc., Rahway, N.J.) or Freund's Incomplete Adjuvant and Complete Adjuvant (Difco Laboratories, Detroit, Mich.). Other suitable adjuvants are Amphigen (oil-in-water), Alhydrogel (aluminum hydroxide), or a mixture of Amphigen and Alhydrogel. Only aluminum is approved for human use.

Conveniently, the vaccines are formulated to contain a final concentration of immunogen in the range of from 0.2 to 200 μg/ml, preferably 5 to 50 μg/ml, most preferably 15 μg/ml. After formulation, the vaccine may be incorporated into a sterile container which is then sealed and stored at a low temperature, for example 4° C., or it may be freeze-dried. Lyophilization permits long-term storage in a stabilized form.

For suppositories, binders and carriers may include, for example, polyalkalene glycols or triglycerides. Oral formulations may include normally employed incipients such as, for example, pharmaceutical grades of saccharine, cellulose and magnesium carbonate. These compositions take the form of solutions, suspensions, tablets, pills, capsules, sustained release formulations or powders and contain 10-95% of the peptides.

The peptides of this invention can be formulated for administration via the nasal passages. Formulations suitable for nasal administration, wherein the carrier is a solid, include a coarse powder having a particle size, for example, in the range of about 10 to about 500 microns, which is administered in the manner in which snuff is taken, ie., by rapid inhalation through the nasal passage from a container of the powder held close up to the nose. Suitable formulations wherein the carrier is a liquid for administration as, for example, nasal spray, nasal drops, or by aerosol administration by nebulizer, include aqueous or oily solutions of the active ingredient. For further discussions of nasal administration of AIDS-related vaccines, references are made to the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,846,978; 5,663,169; 5,578,597; 5,502,060; 5,476,874; 5,413,999; 5,308,854; 5,192,668; and 5,187,074.

Administration

The vaccines may be administered by any conventional methods including oral administration and parenteral (e.g., subcutaneous or intramuscular) injection. The treatment may consist of a single dose of vaccine or a plurality of doses over a period of time. The immunogen of the invention can be combined with appropriate doses of compounds including other epitopes of the target bacteria. Also, the immunogen could be a component of a recombinant vaccine which could be adaptable for oral administration.

The proportion of immunogen and adjuvant can be varied over a broad range so long as both are present in effective amounts. For example, aluminum hydroxide can be present in an amount of about 0.5% of the vaccine mixture (Al₂O₃ basis). On a per-dose basis, the amount of the immunogen can range from about 5 μg to about 100 μg protein per patient of about 70 kg. A preferable range is from about 20 μg to about 40 μg per dose. A suitable dose size is about 0.5 ml. Accordingly, a dose for intramuscular injection, for example, would comprise 0.5 ml containing 20 μg of immunogen in admixture with 0.5% aluminum hydroxide.

Vaccines of the invention may be combined with other vaccines for other diseases to produce multivalent vaccines. A pharmaceutically effective amount of the immunogen can be employed with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier such as a protein or diluent useful for the vaccination of mammals, particularly humans. Other vaccines may be prepared according to methods well-known to those skilled in the art.

The therapeutic application of AIDS vaccines can be done by way of nasal administration. Various ways of such administration are known in the art. The pharmaceutical formulation for nasal administration may be prepared as solutions in saline, employing benzyl alcohol or other suitable preservatives, absorption promoters to enhance bioavailability, fluorocarbons, and/or other solubilizing or dispersing agents known in the art. The unit dosage for nasal administration can be from 1 to 3000 mg, preferably 70 to 1000 mg, and most preferably, 1 to 10 mg of active ingredient per unit dosage form.

Alternatively, other modes of administration including suppositories and oral formulations may be desirable.

The peptides of the present invention may also be administered in conjunction with immune stimulating complexes (ISCOMS) ISCOMS are negatively charged cage-like structure of 30-40 nm in size formed spontaneously on mixing cholesterol and Quil A (saponin). Protective immunity has been generated in a variety of experimental models of infection including toxoplasmosis and Epstein-Barr virus-induced tumors using ISCOMS as the delivery vehicle for antigens (see, e.g., Mowat and Donachie, Immunol. Today, 23:383-385 (1991)). Immunogenic compositions using ISCOMS are comprised of the peptides of the invention encapsulated into ISCOMS for delivery.

Immunotherapy regimens which produce maximal immune responses following the administration of the fewest number of doses, ideally only one dose, are highly desirable. This result can be approached through entrapment of immunogen in microparticles. For example, the absorbable suture material poly(lactide-co-glycolide) co-polymer can be fashioned into microparticles containing immunogen (see, e.g., Eldridge et al., Molec. Immunol., 28:287-294 (1991); Moore et al., Vaccine 13:1741-1749 (1995); and Men et al., Vaccine, 13:683-689 (1995)). Following oral or parenteral administration, microparticle hydrolysis in vivo produces the non-toxic byproducts, lactic and glycolic acids, and releases immunogen largely unaltered by the entrapment process. Microparticle formulations can also provide primary and subsequent booster immunizations in a single administration by mixing immunogen entrapped microparticles with different release rates. Single dose formulations capable of releasing antigen ranging from less than one week to greater than six months can be readily achieved.

The peptides of the invention may also be administered via liposomes, which serve to target the peptides to a particular tissue, such as lymphoid tissue, or targeted selectively to infected cells, as well as increase the half-life of the peptide composition. Liposomes include emulsions, foams, micelles, insoluble monolayers, liquid crystals, phospholipid dispersions, lamellar layers and the like. In these preparations the peptide to be delivered is incorporated as part of a liposome, alone or in conjunction with a molecule which binds to, e.g., a receptor prevalent among lymphoid cells, such as monoclonal antibodies which bind to the CD45 antigen, or with other therapeutic or immunogenic compositions. Thus, liposomes either filled or decorated with a desired peptide of the invention can be directed to the site of lymphoid cells, where the liposomes then deliver the peptide compositions. Liposomes for use in the invention are formed from standard vesicle-forming lipids, which generally include neutral and negatively charged phospholipids and a sterol, such as cholesterol. The selection of lipids is generally guided by consideration of, e.g., liposome size, acid lability and stability of the liposomes in the blood stream. A variety of methods are available for preparing liposomes, as described in, e.g., Szoka, et al., Ann. Rev. Biophys. Bioeng., 9:467 (1980), and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,235,871; 4,501,728; 4,837,028; and 5,019,369.

Nucleic acid vaccines

Nucleic acids (typically DNA) encoding the polypeptides of the invention are administered to patients to elicit an immune response against the polypeptides which they encode. DNA administered for this purpose is referred to as a "DNA vaccine." Methods of making and administering DNA as vaccines are known, and described, e.g., in Wolff et. al., Science, 247:1465-1468 (1990).

In general, the dose of a naked nucleic acid composition such as a DNA vaccine or gene therapy vector is from about 1 μg to 100 μg for a typical 70 kilogram patient. The immunogenic composition can be either a nucleic acid encoding the target protein (e.g., a DNA vaccine) or a virus vector which produces the antigenic protein. Subcutaneous or intramuscular doses for naked nucleic acid (typically DNA encoding a fusion protein) will range from 0.1 μg to 500 μg for a 70 kg patient in generally good health. Subcutaneous or intramuscular doses for viral vectors comprising the fusion proteins of the invention will range from 1×10⁵pfu to 1×10⁹for a 70 kg patient in generally good health.

Passive immunization

Passive immunotherapeutic methods are applicable to persons exhibiting symptoms of HIV-induced disease, including AIDS or related conditions believed to be caused by HIV infection, and humans at risk of HIV infection. Patients at risk of infection by HIV include babies of HIV-infected pregnant mothers, recipients of transfusions known to contain HIV, users of HIV contaminated needles, individuals who have participated in high risk sexual activities with known HIV-infected individuals, and the like risk situations.

HIV has been disclosed as treatable using passive immunization. See for example Jackson et al., Lancet, September 17:647-652, (1988); Karpas et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci, USA 87:7613-7616 (1990), Eichberg et al., AIDS Res. Hum. Retroviruses 8:1515 (1992) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,476. Passive immunization can be accomplished with polyclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies, or antibody fragments.

In one embodiment, the passive immunization method comprises administering a composition comprising more than one species of human monoclonal antibody of this invention, preferably directed to non-competing epitopes or directed to distinct serotypes or strains of HIV, as to afford increased effectiveness of the passive immunotherapy.

A therapeutically (immunotherapeutically) effective amount of a humanized or human antibody is a predetermined amount calculated to achieve the desired effect, i.e., to neutralize the HIV present in the sample or in the patient, and thereby decrease the amount of detectable HIV in the sample or patient. In the case of in vivo therapies of persons already infected, an effective amount can be measured by improvements in one or more symptoms associated with HTV-induced disease occurring in the patient, or by serological decreases in HIV antigens.

Thus, the relevant dosage ranges for the administration of the monoclonal or other antibodies of the invention are those large enough to produce the desired effect in which the symptoms of the HIV disease are ameliorated or the likelihood of infection decreased. The dosage should not be so large as to cause adverse side effects, such as hyperviscosity syndromes, pulmonary edema, congestive heart failure, and the like. Generally, the dosage will vary with the age, condition, sex and extent of the disease in the patient and can be determined by one of skill in the art. The dosage can be adjusted by the individual physician in the event of any complication.

A therapeutically effective amount of an antibody of this invention is typically an amount of antibody such that when administered in a physiologically tolerable composition is sufficient to achieve a plasma concentration of from about 0.1 μg/ml to about 100 μg/ml, preferably from about 1 μg/ml to about 5 μg/ml, and usually about 5 μg/ml. Stated differently, the dosage can vary from about 0.1 mg/kg to about 300 mg/kg, preferably from about 0.2 mg/kg to about 200 mg/kg, most preferably from about 0.5 mg/kg to about 20 mg/kg, in one or more dose administrations daily, for one or several days.

The antibodies of the invention can be administered parenterally by injection or by gradual infusion over time. Although the HIV infection is typically systemic and therefore most often treated by intravenous administration of therapeutic compositions, other tissues and delivery means are contemplated where there is a likelihood that the tissue targeted contains infectious HIV. Thus, antibodies of the invention can be administered intravenously, intraperitoneally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, intracavity, transdermally, and can be delivered by peristaltic means.

The therapeutic compositions containing antibodies of this invention are conventionally administered intravenously, as by injection of a unit dose, for example. The term "unit dose" when used in reference to a therapeutic composition of the present invention refers to physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosage for the subject, each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active material calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect in association with the required diluent; ie., carrier, or vehicle.

Diagonostic uses in immunoassays and other uses

Immunoassays

The peptides of this invention or or antibodies specific to the peptides themselves can be used to detect the presence of HIV in serum or in any biological sample. The assays will find use in both medical and research settings.

Normally, the peptides are in the range of about 9 residues and up to about 40 residues. The preferred range is 9 to 25 residues. There may be circumstances where a mixture of peptides from conserved regions and/or from the non-conserved regions are used to provide cross-isolate protection and/or diagnosis. In this instance, the mixture of peptide immunogens is commonly referred to as a "cocktail" preparation for use as an immunogenic composition or a diagnostic reagent. The peptides of this invention can be used in such a peptide.

The peptides of the present invention are useful as antigens in immunoassays which include but are not limited to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), RIAs, and other non-enzyme linked antibody binding assays, or procedures known in the art for the detection of anti-HIV antibodies. For a review of immunological and immunoassay procedures in general, see Basic and Clinical Immunology 7th Edition (D. Stites and A. Terr, eds.) 1991. Moreover, the immunoassays of the present invention can be performed in any of several configurations, which are reviewed extensively in Enzyme Immunoassay, E. T. Maggio, ed., CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla. (1980); "Practice and Theory of Enzyme Immunoassays," Tijssen; and in Antibodies A Laboratory Manual, Harlow and Lane, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989.

In ELISA assays, for example, the peptides are immobilized onto a selected surface, for example a surface capable of binding peptides, such as the wells of a polystyrene microtitre plate. After washing to remove incompletely adsorbed peptides, a non-specific protein, such as a solution of bovine serum albumin (BSA) or casein, that is known to be antigenically neutral with regard to the test sample may be bound to the selected surface. This allows for blocking of non-specific adsorption sites on the immobilizing surface and thus decreases the background caused by non-specific bindings of antisera onto the surface.

The immobilizing surface is then contacted with a sample, such as clinical or biological materials to be tested, in a manner conducive to immune complex (antigen/antibody) formation. This may include diluting the sample with diluents such as solutions of BSA, bovine gamma globulin (BGG) and/or phosphate buffered saline (PBS)/Tween. The sample is then allowed to incubate for from about 2 to 4 hours, at temperatures such as of the order of about 25° to 37° C. Following incubation, the sample-contacted surface is washed to remove non-immunocomplexed material. The washing procedure may include washing with a solution such as PBS/Tween, or a borate buffer.

Following formation of specific immunocomplexes between the test sample and the bound peptides, and subsequent washing, the occurrence, and even amount, of immunocomplex formation may be determined by subjecting the immunocomplex to a second antibody having specificity for the first antibody. If the test sample is of human origin, the second antibody is an antibody having specificity for human immunoglobulins and in general IgG. To provide detecting means, the second antibody may have an associated activity, such as an enzymatic activity that will generate, for example, a color development upon incubating with an appropriate chromogenic substrate. Quantification may then be achieved by measuring the degree of color generation using, for example, a visible spectra spectrophotometer.

Other uses

Molecules which bind to the conserved sequences on which the invention is based, particularly binding proteins, antibodies, antibody-related molecules and structural analogs thereof, are also of possible use as agents in the treatment and diagnosis of AIDS and related conditions.

For targeted delivery of toxins or other agents, e.g., by use of immunotoxins comprising conjugates of antibody to the relevant peptides and a cytotoxic moiety, for binding directly or indirectly to a target conserved sequence of, for example, or gp120 or gp41.

For targeted delivery of highly immunogenic materials to the surface of HIV-infected cells, leading to possible ablation of such cells by either the humoral or cellular immune system of the host.

For detection of HIV, e.g., using a variety of immunoassay techniques.

In yet a further diagnostic embodiment, the peptides of the present invention (individually, or as mixtures including cocktail preparations) are useful for the generation of HIV-1 antigen-specific antibodies (including monoclonal antibodies) that can be used to detect HIV-1 or specific antigens thereof, or to neutralize HIV-1 in samples including biological samples.

In an alternative diagnostic embodiment, the peptides of the present invention can be used to specifically stimulate HIV-specific B-cells in biological samples from, for example, HIV-infected individuals.

A further diagnostic embodiment includes the use of the peptides to determine prognosis for Long Term Non-Progressor patients towards AIDS.

Claim 1 of 7 Claims

1. An antigenic peptide of less than 100 amino acids having an antigenic subsequence comprising X-KSSGKLISL-X (SEQ ID NOS: 1 and 31), wherein X is independently an amino acid or sequence of amino acids with the proviso that X is not identical to the amino acid or amino acids naturally flanking the subsequences in human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1).

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