PEPTIDES FROM VARICELLA-ZOSTER AND OTHER VIRUSES FOR HIV-2 DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY

摘要

Viral chimeric peptides useful for HIV diagnostic testing and therapy of HIV are described which comprise a loop sequence from a Varicella-Zoster virus protein and additional portion(s) that enhance antigenic reactivity of the loop with anti-HIV antibody. The peptides typically are at least 16 amino acid residues long and advantageously contain additional portions that have some sequence identity with peptide sequences adjacent to a cystine loop of HIV-1 gp41. The peptides immunologically cross-react with protein from a wide variety of HIV-2 strains. Peptides according to some embodiments of the invention are less hydrophobic and more basic for improved water solubility compared to peptides from naturally occurring strains of HIV. These chimeric peptides differ greatly from the naturally occurring sequences and are not identified as corresponding to any particular viral species or strain.