Characterization of group specific antibodies in primates: studies with SIV envelope in macaques.

Sera from SIV-infected macaques were found to contain antibodies that reacted with conformation-dependent, group-specific determinants on the SIV envelope protein gp130. These conformation-dependent antibodies exhibited virus neutralizing activity; their presence was associated with protection in vaccine studies. The properties of these antibodies are quite similar to those that have been identified in sera from HIV-infected human subjects. These data suggest that the SIV envelope gp130 remains a candidate for subunit vaccine studies.