Abstract: A novel human retrovirus which is the aetiological agent of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), designated lymphadenopathy-associated virus (LAV), was isolated from the lymph nodes of a patient suffering from generalized persistant lymphadenopathy. LAV displays a tropism for CD4.sup.+ lymphocytes, a Mg.sup.2+ -dependent reverse transcriptase (RT) activity, a density of 1.16-1.17 as determined by sucrose gradient centrifugation, a particle diameter of 139 nm, and a p25 antigen that is immunologically distinct from the HTLV-I/II p24 protein. Radioimmunoprecipitation analysis (RIPA) of .sup.35 S-cysteine-labeled viral or cellular lysates employing patient antisera resulted in the identification of a viral antigen having a molecular weight of 110 kDa. Endoglycosidase treatment of this antigen produces a protein with a molecular weight of 90 kDa. Methods are disclosed for the preparation of hybridomas producing LAV gp110-specific monoclonal antibodies (Mabs).

Abstract: This invention is directed to an isolated antibody specific for gp110 glycoprotein of a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), and a hybridoma which produces such an antibody. HIV-1 is the causative agent of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).