Methods are disclosed for inhibiting a HIV infection in a subject. These methods include administering to the subject an effective amount of a recombinant gp120 protein comprising a deletion of HIV-1 Envelope residues 137-152 according to the HXBc2 numbering system, or a nucleic acid molecule encoding the recombinant gp120 protein, wherein the recombinant gp120 protein elicits an immune response to HIV-1. The methods also include administering to the subject an effective amount of a SAMT-247 microbicide.

The present invention relates to compositions comprising two or more DNA plasmids encoding consensus and transmitted founder HIV envelope glycoproteins which expressed and induce a potent immune response.

Embodiments of immunogens based on the outer domain of HIV-1 gp120 and methods of their use and production are disclosed. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the immunogens are also provided. In several embodiments, the immunogens can be used to prime an immune response to gp120 in a subject, for example, to treat or prevent an HIV-1 infection in the subject.

The invention provides methods and compositions for eliciting broad immune responses to HIV envelope proteins. The methods include use of nucleic acids constructs that encode conserved elements of HIV Env to induce immune responses.

The subject invention concerns methods and materials for inducing an immune response in an animal or person against an immunodeficiency virus, such as HIV, SIV, or FIV. In one embodiment, a method of the invention comprises administering one or more antigens and/or immunogens to the person or animal wherein the antigen and/or immunogen comprises one or more evolutionarily conserved epitopes of immunodeficiency viruses. In one embodiment, the epitope is one that is conserved between HIV and FIV.

The present invention relates to novel peptides and methods for inducing an immune response in a subject against an antigen and for treatment, diagnosis and prognosis of infections or autoimmune diseases including infections with HCV, HIV, CMV and Flu. The invention further relates to methods for identifying and providing peptides useful for the treatment and diagnosis.

The invention provides methods, compositions and kits for treating and or preventing an HIV infection. For example, HIV envelope-like polypeptides (wild-type HIV polypeptides and mimotopes) may be administered to an individual so as to induce a protective immune response to HIV. Alternatively, antibodies directed to the HIV envelope-like polypeptides may be administered to an individual to treat or prevent an HIV infection and/or one or more symptoms associated with the infection (e.g., AIDS).

Stabilized trimers of a clade A strain and a clade C strain of HIV-1 are provided. Broadly neutralizing antisera against HIV-1, methods of making broadly neutralizing antisera against HIV-1, broadly neutralizing vaccines against HIV-1, as well as methods of treating subjects infected with HIV, preventing HIV infection, and inhibiting HIV-mediated activities are also provided.

The present invention relates to engineered outer domain (eOD) immunogens of HIV gp120 and mutants thereof and methods of making and using the same. The present invention also includes fusions of eOD to various protein multimers to enhance immunogenicity. The mutant eODs bind to neutralizing antibody precursors. The mutant eODs can activate germline precursors on the pathway to eliciting a broadly neutralizing antibody (bnAb) response. The invention also relates to immunized knock-in mice expressing germline-reverted heavy chains. Induced antibodies showed characteristics of bnAbs and mutations that favored binding to near-native HIV-1 gp120 constructs. In contrast, native-like immunogens failed to activate precursors. The invention also relates to rational epitope design that can prime rare B cell precursors for affinity maturation to desired targets.

Stabilized trimers of a clade A strain and a clade C strain of HIV-1 are provided. Broadly neutralizing antisera against HIV-1, methods of making broadly neutralizing antisera against HIV-1, broadly neutralizing vaccines against HIV-1, as well as methods of treating subjects infected with HIV, preventing HIV infection, and inhibiting HIV-mediated activities are also provided.