Molecular mimicry of HIV gp120: Possible implications on prevention and therapy of AIDS

Abstract

A broad range of similarities between HIV-1 gp120 and human proteins-especially those participating in immune responses-highlight gp120 as a pleiotropic protein which can influence many important functions of the human immune system. The molecular mimicry that serves to the human immunodeficiency virus as potent destructive arms against immune system could be the weak point we are in search of over decades. Examples involving sequence and informational similarities of HIV-1 gp120 and immunerelated host cell proteins important for prevention and treatment of HIV infection are presented. .

Keywords

• molecular mimicry
• HIV envelope protein gp120
• acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
• AIDS
• vaccines
• therapy
• investigational
• vasoactive intestinal peptide
• cross reactions
• antibodies
• viral