Polyclonal antibodies to mannan from yeast also recognize the carbohydrate structure of gp120 of the AIDS virus: an approach to raise neutralizing antibodies to HIV-1 infection in vitro.

This study initiates a new method of developing an antigen which might be useful in the prevention of HIV-1 infection. Using a mannan preparation from Saccharomyces cerevisiae neutralizing antiserum was raised in rabbits which prevents HIV-1 infection in vitro up to a titre of 1:128. The corresponding antibody preparation neutralized the in vitro infectivity down to a concentration of 5 micrograms/ml. Analytical studies suggest that the antibodies are directed against the mannose residues of the HIV-1 glycoprotein (gp) 120 and its precursor gp 160.