Derivatives of soluble T-4

Abstract

This invention provides a therapeutic agent capable of specifically forming a complex with human immunodeficiency virus envelope glycoprotein which comprises a polypeptide. In one embodiment of the invention, the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 6 from about +1 to about +185 fused to the amino acid sequence from about +353 to about +371. In another embodiment of the invention, the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 6 from about +1 to about +106 fused to the amino acid sequence from about +353 to about +371. In yet a further embodiment of the invention, the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 6 from about +1 to about +185. This invention also provides a method for treating a subject infected with a human immunodeficiency virus. The method comprises administering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a therapeutic agent of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A therapeutic agent capable of specifically forming a complex with human immunodeficiency virus envelope glycoprotein comprising a polypeptide, the amino acid sequence of which comprises the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 6 from about +1 to about +185 fused to the amino acid sequence from about +353 to about +371.  
     
     
         2 . A therapeutic agent capable of specifically forming a complex with human immunodeficiency virus envelope glycoprotein comprising a polypeptide, the amino acid sequence of which comprises the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 6 from about +1 to about +106 fused to the amino acid sequence from about +353 to about +371.  
     
     
         3 . A therepeutic agent capable of specifically forming a complex with human immunodeficiency virus envelope glycoprotein comprising a polypeptide, the amino acid sequence of which comprises the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 6 from about +1 to about +185.  
     
     
         4 . A pharmaceutical composition which comprises an effective amount of the therapeutic agent of any of claims  1 ,  2  or  3  and a pharmaceutically accept  rier.  
     
     
         5 . A method for treating a subject infected with a human immunodeficiency virus which comprises administering to the subject an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 4 .  
     
     
         6 . An expression vector encoding the polypeptide of any of claims  1 ,  2 , or  3 .  
     
     
         7 . A host cell comprising the expression vector of  claim 6 .  
     
     
         8 . A bacterial host cell of  claim 7 .  
     
     
         9 . An  Escherichia coli  host cell of  claim 8 .  
     
     
         10 . A eucaryotic host cell of  claim 7 .  
     
     
         11 . A mammalian host cell of  claim 10 .  
     
     
         12 . A yeast host cell of  claim 10 .  
     
     
         13 . A insect host cell of  claim 7 .  
     
     
         14 . A method of producing the therapeutic agent of any of claims  1 ,  2 , or  3  which comprises growing the host vector system of  claim 6  under suitable conditions permitting production of the therapeutic agent and recovering the therapeutic agent so produced.