Induction of HIV type 1 neutralizing and env-CD4 blocking antibodies by immunization with genetically engineered HIV type 1-like particles containing unprocessed gp160 glycoproteins

Genetically engineered, noninfectious HIV-1-like particles containing processed envelope glycoproteins represent potential candidate immunogens for a vaccine against HIV-1. However, since the gp120 glycoprotein is known to be rapidly lost from the surface of infected cells and purified virions as a result of its low-affinity interaction with gp41, shedding of this extracellular subunit could compromise the immunogenic potential of particle-based HIV-1 vaccine candidates. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time the feasibility of producing fully assembled HIV-1-like particles containing only unprocessed gp160 glycoproteins. Monkey kidney Vero cells were transfected with an inducible, human metallothionein-based expression vector containing most of the HIV-1LAI coding sequences that were genetically modified to introduce safety mutations and destroy the major cleavage site of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein. A stably-transfected cell line was isolated and shown to secrete HIV-1-like particles containing unprocessed gp160. Immunization with these particles induced HIV-1 cross-neutralizing, syncytium-inhibiting and env-CD4 blocking antibodies. Thus, these novel HIV-1-like particles represent alternative candidate immunogens for the development of a particle-based AIDS vaccine.