Abstract: A method for neutralizing HIV-1 is disclosed. A preferred embodiment utilizes a novel human monoclonal antibody that binds to a conserved region of the gp41 transmembrane subunit of the virus. The antibody is produced by continuous cell lines developed using human B lymphocyte cells collected from a patient possessing high titers of anti-HIV antibodies. The conserved region bound by the neutralizing antibody is a peptide of approximately 12 amino acids in length. Similar regions on HIV-2 and SIV are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for neutralizing the retrovirus Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) through free virus neutralization or fusion inhibition, comprises adding to a cell mixture of HIV-infected and uninfected cells, a neutralizing agent which specifically binds to at least a portion of the amino acid sequence R-Leu-Ile-Cys-R', where R is either absent or a sequence of 1 to 5 amino acids selected from the group consisting of Lys, Gly-Lys, Ser-Gly-Lys, Cys-Ser-Gly-Lys and Gly-Cys-Ser-Gly-Lys, and R' is either absent or a sequence of 1 to 2 amino acids selected from the group consisting of Thr and Thr-Thr, under conditions effective for allowing said neutralizing agent to inhibit fusion between said HIV-1 infected cells or free HIV-1 and said uninfected cells or administering the neutralizing agent orally, intravenously, or intramuscularly under conditions effective for allowing said neutralizing agent to inhibit fusion between HIV-1 infected cells and uninfected cells.

Abstract: A method for neutralizing HIV-1 is disclosed. A preferred embodiment utilizes a novel human monoclonal antibody that binds to a conserved region of the gp41 transmembrane subunit of the virus. The antibody is produced by continuous cell lines developed using human B lymphocyte cells collected from a patient possessing high titers of anti-HIV antibodies. The conserved region bound by the neutralizing antibody is a peptide of approximately 12 amino acids in length and preferably 8-10 amino acids. Similar regions on HIV-2 and SIV are also disclosed. The present invention is further directed to a kit and a method for detecting the presence and determining concentration of an antibody that inhibits HIV-1 fusion-associated epitope, a peptide on gp41 with the amino acid sequence represented by GCSGKLIC. The detection and quantitation method includes an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Abstract: Disclosed is a human monoclonal antibody produced by the hybridoma designated Clone 3 and having A.T.C.C. Accession No. CRL 10198. The Clone 3 human monoclonal antibody immunologically binds to a conserved epitope on the transmembrane envelope glycoprotein gp41 of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) having the amino acid sequence GCSGKLIC.