Method for the in vitro assessment of the progression status of an infection by an hiv virus in an individual

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of the in vitro diagnosis nosis of the progression status of an infection of an individual with a virus belonging to the family of the Human Immunodeficiency Viruses (HIV) as well as with the therapeutical treatment of this infectious disease.

1 .- 44 . (canceled)  
     
     
         45 . A polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence:  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                 
                   X 1 X 2 X 3 X 4 X 5 X 6 SWSNKSX 13 X 14 X 15 X 16 X 17 , 
                   (SEQ ID NO: 5) 
                     
                 
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
       wherein X 1 , X 2 , X 3 , X 5 , X 6 , X 13 , X 15 , X 16 , and X 17  are, independently, any amino acid residue, X 4  is any amino acid residue except A and W, and X 14  is any amino acid residue except E and S.  
     
     
         46 . The polypeptide of  claim 45 , comprising the sequence:  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   PWASNASWSNKSLDDIW. 
                   (SEQ ID NO: 6) 
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         47 . The polypeptide of  claim 45 , consisting of the sequence:  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   PWASNASWSNKSLDDIW. 
                   (SEQ ID NO: 6) 
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         48 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a ligand that specifically binds to a polypeptide of  claim 45  and at least one physiologically acceptable excipient.  
     
     
         49 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 48 , wherein the polypeptide comprises the sequence:  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   PWASNASWSNKSLDDIW. 
                   (SEQ ID NO: 6) 
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         50 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 48 , wherein the polypeptide consists of the sequence:  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   PWASNASWSNKSLDDIW. 
                   (SEQ ID NO: 6) 
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         51 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 48 , wherein the ligand comprises an antibody directed to the polypeptide of  claim 45 .  
     
     
         52 . A method comprising: 
 incubating a candidate compound with a polypeptide of  claim 45;  and    assaying for the binding of the candidate compound to the polypeptide.    
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the polypeptide comprises the sequence: 
 PWASNASWSNKSLDDIW (SEQ ID NO: 6).    
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the polypeptide consists of the sequence:  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   PWASNASWSNKSLDDIW. 
                   (SEQ ID NO: 6) 
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 52 , comprising a gel migration assay to detect any complexes formed between the candidate compound and the polypeptide.