CHO-S cells. The recombinant gp120 (50 µg) was mixed with Imject Alum (Thermo
Fisher Scientific) and injected subcutaneously. Mice were boosted with same dose of
antigen at the indicated days along with Alum. Serum gp120 specific Ig levels in
these mice were analyzed by ELISA. Briefly, 96 well ELISA plates (Nalgene, Nunc) were
coated with gp120 (0.8 μg/well) overnight at 4°C, washed and blocked
with 1% BSA fraction V (Sigma–Aldrich), serum titers were then added to the
plates and incubated 4 hr at 4°C. After washing alkaline phosphatase-labeled
goat anti-mouse IgM or IgG isotype specific antibodies were added for 2 hr at room
temperature (SouthernBiotech, Birmingham, AL). After washing, PNPP one component
substrate (SouthernBiotech) was used to detect the amount of antibody bound.