Method of inducing antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus involving the administration of mper peptide-liposome conjugates

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of inducing the production in a patient of anti-HIV antibodies. The method comprises administering to a patient in need thereof an amount of at least one liposome-peptide conjugate in an amount sufficient to effect that induction. The peptide comprises a membrane external proximal region (MPER) epitope and the liposome comprises lysophosphorylcholine or phosphatidylserine.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An immunogenic composition comprising a peptide comprising an epitope of the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) envelope gp41 membrane proximal region (MPER) and a linker, wherein the peptide is embedded in a liposome via the linker, and wherein said liposome comprises cholesterol. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  further comprising an adjuvant. 
     
     
         3 . A method of inducing an immune response in a subject comprising administering the composition of  claim 1  in an amount sufficient to induce such response. 
     
     
         4 . A method of inducing an immune response in a subject comprising administering the composition of  claim 2  in an amount sufficient to induce such response.