Immunogenic properties of reverse transcriptase of HIV type 1 assessed by DNA and protein immunization of rabbits

Genetic immunization may be one way to prime individuals for a subsequent b road anti-HIV-1 immune response. Reverse transcriptase of HIV-1 (RT) presen ts a selective target for attempts to arrest replication of HIV-1. Rabbits immunized with a plasmid carrying the gene for reverse transcriptase HIV-1 (RT DNA) developed potent antibody and cellular responses to the gene produ ct. The immunogenic properties of RT DNA and recombinant reverse transcript ase were compared in rabbits. The specific immune responses were similar to those reported previously for HIV-1 infected humans. The array of B and T cell epitopes recognized in RT DNA-immunized rabbits was broader than in ra bbits immunized with the recombinant RT. We localized seven novel B and T c ell epitopes and concordance between B cell and helper T cell epitopes was observed. B cell epitopes of RT induced proliferation of peripheral blood m ononuclear cells and were active as helper T cell epitopes. T cell-prolifer ative responses to the epitopes of RT preceded or paralleled the production of antibodies of the same specificity. Subdomains of reverse transcriptase involved in the enzymatic activity of RT were highly immunogenic. Anti-RT IgG partially inhibited reverse transcription in vitro.