Stabilized human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) envelope (env) trimer vaccines and methods of using same

Abstract

The invention features stabilized human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope (Env) trimers. The invention also features vaccines, nucleic acids, and vectors to deliver and/or facilitate production of the stabilized HIV Env trimers. In addition, the invention features methods of making and using the stabilized HIV Env trimers of the invention.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . A protein comprising amino acids 30-724 of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         39 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the protein of  claim 38  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient, or diluent. 
     
     
         40 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 39 , further comprising an adjuvant. 
     
     
         41 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 40 , wherein the adjuvant comprises an aluminum salt. 
     
     
         42 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 41 , wherein the adjuvant comprises aluminum phosphate. 
     
     
         43 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 39 , further comprising one or more additional HIV gp140 polypeptides. 
     
     
         44 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 43 , wherein the one or more additional HIV gp140 polypeptides comprise at least one polypeptide comprising amino acids 30-708 of SEQ ID NO:3. 
     
     
         45 . A composition comprising:
 (i) a first protein that comprises three gp140 polypeptides, wherein each of said three gp140 polypeptides comprises an amino acid sequence comprising amino acids 30-724 of SEQ ID NO: 2;   (ii) a second protein that comprises three gp140 polypeptides, wherein each of said three gp140 polypeptides comprises an amino acid sequence comprising amino acids 30-708 of SEQ ID NO: 3; and   (iii) aluminum phosphate.   
     
     
         46 . The composition of  claim 45 , being a pharmaceutical composition. 
     
     
         47 . The composition of  claim 45 , wherein the first protein and the second protein both are oligomeric proteins. 
     
     
         48 . A method of preparing a composition, the composition comprising:
 (i) a first protein that comprises three gp140 polypeptides, wherein each of said three gp140 polypeptides comprises an amino acid sequence comprising amino acids 30-724 of SEQ ID NO: 2; and   (ii) a second protein that comprises three gp140 polypeptides, wherein each of said three gp140 polypeptides comprises an amino acid sequence comprising amino acids 30-708 of SEQ ID NO: 3,   the method comprising providing the first protein and the second protein and mixing the first and second protein into a composition.   
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising providing an adjuvant and mixing the adjuvant into the composition. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the adjuvant comprises an aluminum salt, such as aluminum phosphate. 
     
     
         51 . A method of inducing an immune response against HIV in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 39 . 
     
     
         52 . A method of inducing an immune response against HIV in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 46 . 
     
     
         53 . A method of inducing an immune response against HIV in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a composition that has been obtained according to  claim 48 . 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered intramuscularly, intradermally, subcutaneously, or mucosally. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein said subject is administered at least one dose of said composition. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered to said subject as a prime, a boost, or as a prime-boost. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 52 , comprising intramuscular administration.