Epitope mapping, V-region DNA sequence, and neutralizing Fab fragments of two monoclonal antibodies against the HIV-1 V3 loop.

Background: Experimental evidence suggests that neutralizing antibodies could constitute an important factor in the control of AIDS progression and that the V3 loop of gp120 constitutes the main target for such purposes. We have previously developed two neutralizing murine monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) against the V3 region of the HIV-1 MN strain.

Objectives: To characterize those Mabs in terms of fine specificity and DNA sequence of their V regions and to study if Fab fragments retain their neutralizing potential in vitro.

Isolation and virological characterization of HIV-1 in Cuba. Relationship with the clinical status of the patients.

The objective of this paper is the isolation and biological characterization of HIV-1 from patients at different clinical status of the disease. Clinical, epidemiological and virological aspects of 54 infected people were studied. Isolate HIV-1 strains were characterized and classified in relation with replication kinetics and cellular tropism as well as syncytium inducing (SI), and non syncytium inducing (NSI) capacity.

Inhibition of in vitro HIV infection by dialysable leucocyte extracts.

Dialysable Leucocyte Extract (DLE) is a low molecular weight dialysable material of disrupted peripheral human leucocytes with widespread effects on the immune system. We described the in vitro anti-HIV activity of DLE as well as its three chromatographic fractions (Fa, Fb and Fc). To determine the levels of inhibition on HIV replication by DLE we infected MT-4 cell cultures, using the Bru viral isolate at 0.