Abstract: The present invention relates to chimeric peptides having a caveolin-1 binding domain of an HIV-1 gp41 (CBD1) peptide or a variant of said CBD1, fused to a T helper epitope. In one aspect, the T epitope is from a peptide selected from the group consisting of a tetanus toxin, an HIV-1 Gag p24 and an HIV-1 Env-gp120. Compositions containing these chimeric peptides and pharmaceutical and immunogenic compositions as well as vaccines comprising these chimeric peptides also are part of the present invention. Methods to induce neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1 activity and uses of the chimeric peptides to treat or to prevent HIV-1 infection are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chimeric peptides having a caveolin-1 binding domain of an HIV-1 gp41 (CBD1) peptide or a variant of said CBD1, fused to a T helper epitope. In one aspect, the T epitope is from a peptide selected from the group consisting of a tetanus toxin, an HIV-1 Gag p24 and an HIV-1 Env-gp120. Compositions containing these chimeric peptides and pharmaceutical and immunogenic compositions as well as vaccines comprising these chimeric peptides also are part of the present invention. Methods to induce neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1 activity and uses of the chimeric peptides to treat or to prevent HIV-1 infection are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides, referred to as CBD-1, CBD-2, CBM-1/TH-1, CBM-1/TH-2, CBM-2/TH-1, CBM-2/TH-2 and C-20 peptides, which are antigenic and elicit a protective immune response against HIV infection. Compositions, pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines comprising these antigenic peptides are also encompassed by the present invention, as well as neutralizing antibodies which inhibit infection of primary CD4+ T lymphocytes by various HIV isolates. Methods for diagnosis of HIV are also disclosed.