Abstract: The invention relates to SAEP II peptide dimers that mimic polymyxin B i.a. in its ability to bind non-covalently the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Gram-negative bacteria with high affinity, and therefore to detoxify LPS as polymyxin B does. The dimeric structure is maintained by a pair of disulphide bonds involving the two cystein residues present in the peptide sequence, which does not exceed 17 amino acids and essentially comprises cationic and hydrophobic amino acid residues. In the dimers of the invention, peptides may have a parallel or anti-parallel orientation. As a matter of example, a dimer of the invention is constituted by a peptide of formula NH2-Lys-Thr-Lys-Cys1-Lys-Phe-Leu-Leu-Leu-Cys2-COOH, either in a parallel or antiparallel dimeric form. SAEP II dimers are useful for treating or preventing septic shock and related disorders generated by Gram-negative bacteria infection. The invention also relates to LPS-peptide complexes in which LPS and SAEP II dimers are non-covalently bound together.

Abstract: The invention relates to SAEP II peptide dimers that mimic polymyxin B i.a. in its ability to bind non-covalently the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Gram-negative bacteria with high affinity, and therefore to detoxify LPS. The dimeric structure is maintained by a pair of disulphide bonds between two cystein residues present in the peptide sequence, which does not exceed 17 amino acids and essentially comprises cationic and hydrophobic amino acid residues. The peptides in the dimers may have a parallel or anti-parallel orientation. SAEP II dimers are useful for treating or preventing septic shock and related disorders generated by Gram-negative bacteria infection. The invention also relates to LPS-peptide complexes in which LPS and SAEP II diners are non-covalently bound together. These complexes are useful as vaccinal agents against Gram-negative bacteria infection.

Abstract: The invention relates to SAEP II peptide dimers that mimic polymyxin B i.a. in its ability to bind non-covalently the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Gram-negative bacteria with high affinity, and therefore to detoxify LPS as polymyxin B does. The dimeric structure is maintained by a pair of disulphide bonds involving the two cystein residues present in the peptide sequence, which does not exceed 17 amino acids and essentially comprises cationic and hydrophobic amino acid residues. In the dimers of the invention, peptides may have a parallel or anti-parallel orientation. As a matter of example, a dimer of the invention is constituted by a peptide of formula NH2-Lys-Thr-Lys-Cysl-Lys-Phe-Leu-Leu-Leu-Cys2-COOH, either in a parallel or antiparallel dimeric form. SAEP II dimers are useful for treating or preventing septic shock and related disorders generated by Gram-negative bacteria infection. The invention also relates to LPS-peptide complexes in which LPS and SAEP II diners are non-covalently bound together.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inducing antibodies neutralizing HIV primary isolates in a mammal, comprising administration of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a polypeptide represented by the formula N-L-C, in which: N represents the amino acid sequence 25–81 of gp41, C represents the amino acid sequence 112–157 of gp41, and L represents a flexible linking sequence comprising from 2 to 30 amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention thus provides a polypeptide capable of forming a structure corresponding to or mimicking the intermediate of gp41 as well as its use in a vaccine for treating or preventing HIV infections.

Abstract: The present invention comprises novel polypeptide antigens that can be used for therapeutic and prophylactic immunization against HIV-related infections. The polypeptide of the invention mimics the intermediate state of gp41 and is capable of inducing antibodies which neutralize primary isolates of HIV. The invention also comprises compositions comprising the polypeptide and methods of using it.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inducing antibodies neutralizing HIV primary isolates in a mammal, comprising administration of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a polypeptide represented by the formula N-L-C, in which:

Abstract: The present invention comprises novel polypeptide antigens that can be used for therapeutic and prophylactic immunization against HIV-related infections. The polypeptide of the invention mimics the intermediate state of gp41 and is capable of inducing antibodies which neutralize primary isolates of HIV. The invention also comprises compositions comprising the polypeptide and methods of using it.

Abstract: The present invention thus provides a polypeptide capable of forming a structure corresponding to or mimicking the intermediate of gp41 as well as its use in a vaccine for treating or preventing HIV infections.