Vaccine against human immunodeficiency virus-1 and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, comprising defective Tat protein or fragment which can attach to TAR but not cause transactivation

摘要

An anti-human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) vaccine comprising at least one Tat HIV-1 protein (or its fragment) which can attach to TAR but not cause transactivation, a carrier and optionally adjuvants, is new. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) preparation of a polyclonal anti-Tat antibody able to recognize several variants of Tat, comprising immunizing an animal by injection of a Tat protein (or its fragment) together with an immunological adjuvant, and purifying the specific antibodies formed in the serum of the animal; (2) detecting the presence of Tat protein (or its fragment) in a biological sample, by contacting the sample with a anti-Tat antibody capable of forming antigen-antibody complexes with several variants of Tat and detecting the presence of the antigen-antibody complexes; (3) a kit for the diagnosis of HIV infection by determination of Tat protein (or its fragment) in a biological fluid, comprising reactants for producing an appropriate medium for immune reaction (preferably including an antibody as in (2)), reactants for detecting the antigen-antibody complexes produced by the immune reaction, optionally a reference biological sample free of antigen (negative control) and optionally a reference biological sample free of antigen containing a predetermined amount of antigen (positive control); and (4) preparing a Tat variant, using protecting groups of the FMOC type.