Neutralization assays for the evaluation of potential anti-HIV reagents: a study in design, development and interpretation.
Int Conf AIDS 1990 Jun 20-23; 6:327 (abstract no. 1052) Whalley AS, Nguyen ML, Morrow WJ; IDEC Pharmaceuticals Corp., La Jolla, California, USA
In the development of anti-HIV reagents, it is necessary to test in vitro their anti-viral effects. These assessments are generally made by the utilization of virus neutralization assays. A myriad of such assays is currently being used by researchers, with no universally accepted standard. We are testing several systems for the screening of antibodies and synthetic peptides with therapeutic potential. Three distinct types of neutralization tests have been described: those in which infectivity is measured by viral expression such as p24 production, cell fusion (e.g. syncytial, plaque and foci forming assays), and those in which the cytopathic effects of infection on a target cell line are determined (e.g. conversion of XTT to formazan). We have tested and evaluated assay systems from each category in our laboratory. When determining the usefulness of a particular assay system, it is necessary to study the kinetics of HIV infection within the parameters of the assay; in particular, target cell and HIV isolate, to ensure accurate evaluation of potential therapeutics. The type of reagents which are to be evaluated must also be considered. Some assays work well for the assessment of synthetic peptides or monoclonal antibodies, but do not perform satisfactorily when examining polyclonal antibodies. The relative advantages and disadvantages of each assay system will be presented and discussed critically.
Keywords: AEGIS, HIV, HIV Antibodies, Neutralization Tests, HIV Core Protein p24, HIV Infections, HIV Antigens, HIV Envelope Protein gp120, Evaluation Studies, HIV Envelope Protein gp41, Cell Fusion, Anti-HIV Agents, Antibodies, Monoclonal, In Vitro, growth & development, nursing, ICA6
