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Mahomed S. Broadly neutralizing antibodies for HIV prevention: a comprehensive review and future perspectives. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0015222. [PMID: 38687039 PMCID: PMC11324036 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00152-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYThe human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic remains a formidable global health concern, with 39 million people living with the virus and 1.3 million new infections reported in 2022. Despite anti-retroviral therapy's effectiveness in pre-exposure prophylaxis, its global adoption is limited. Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) offer an alternative strategy for HIV prevention through passive immunization. Historically, passive immunization has been efficacious in the treatment of various diseases ranging from oncology to infectious diseases. Early clinical trials suggest bNAbs are safe, tolerable, and capable of reducing HIV RNA levels. Although challenges such as bNAb resistance have been noted in phase I trials, ongoing research aims to assess the additive or synergistic benefits of combining multiple bNAbs. Researchers are exploring bispecific and trispecific antibodies, and fragment crystallizable region modifications to augment antibody efficacy and half-life. Moreover, the potential of other antibody isotypes like IgG3 and IgA is under investigation. While promising, the application of bNAbs faces economic and logistical barriers. High manufacturing costs, particularly in resource-limited settings, and logistical challenges like cold-chain requirements pose obstacles. Preliminary studies suggest cost-effectiveness, although this is contingent on various factors like efficacy and distribution. Technological advancements and strategic partnerships may mitigate some challenges, but issues like molecular aggregation remain. The World Health Organization has provided preferred product characteristics for bNAbs, focusing on optimizing their efficacy, safety, and accessibility. The integration of bNAbs in HIV prophylaxis necessitates a multi-faceted approach, considering economic, logistical, and scientific variables. This review comprehensively covers the historical context, current advancements, and future avenues of bNAbs in HIV prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharana Mahomed
- Centre for the AIDS
Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical
Research Institute, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of
KwaZulu-Natal, Durban,
South Africa
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Thavarajah JJ, Hønge BL, Wejse CM. The Use of Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies (bNAbs) in HIV-1 Treatment and Prevention. Viruses 2024; 16:911. [PMID: 38932203 PMCID: PMC11209272 DOI: 10.3390/v16060911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) effectively halts disease progression in HIV infection, the complete eradication of the virus remains elusive. Additionally, challenges such as long-term ART toxicity, drug resistance, and the demanding regimen of daily and lifelong adherence required by ART highlight the imperative need for alternative therapeutic and preventative approaches. In recent years, broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) have emerged as promising candidates, offering potential for therapeutic, preventative, and possibly curative interventions against HIV infection. OBJECTIVE This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge regarding the passive immunization of bNAbs in HIV-1-infected individuals. MAIN FINDINGS Recent findings from clinical trials have highlighted the potential of bNAbs in the treatment, prevention, and quest for an HIV-1 cure. While monotherapy with a single bNAb is insufficient in maintaining viral suppression and preventing viral escape, ultimately leading to viral rebound, combination therapy with potent, non-overlapping epitope-targeting bNAbs have demonstrated prolonged viral suppression and delayed time to rebound by effectively restricting the emergence of escape mutations, albeit largely in individuals with bNAb-sensitive strains. Additionally, passive immunization with bNAb has provided a "proof of concept" for antibody-mediated prevention against HIV-1 acquisition, although complete prevention has not been obtained. Therefore, further research on the use of bNAbs in HIV-1 treatment and prevention remains imperative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jannifer Jasmin Thavarajah
- Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Clinical Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; (B.L.H.); (C.M.W.)
| | - Bo Langhoff Hønge
- Clinical Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; (B.L.H.); (C.M.W.)
| | - Christian Morberg Wejse
- Clinical Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; (B.L.H.); (C.M.W.)
- GloHAU, Center of Global Health, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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Kumar S, Bajpai P, Joyce C, Kabra SK, Lodha R, Burton DR, Briney B, Luthra K. B cell repertoire sequencing of HIV-1 pediatric elite-neutralizers identifies multiple broadly neutralizing antibody clonotypes. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1272493. [PMID: 38433846 PMCID: PMC10905035 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1272493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction A limited subset of HIV-1 infected adult individuals typically after at least 2-3 years of chronic infection, develop broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs), suggesting that highly conserved neutralizing epitopes on the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein are difficult for B cell receptors to effectively target, during natural infection. Recent studies have shown the evolution of bnAbs in HIV-1 infected infants. Methods We used bulk BCR sequencing (BCR-seq) to profile the B cell receptors from longitudinal samples (3 time points) collected from a rare pair of antiretroviralnaïve, HIV-1 infected pediatric monozygotic twins (AIIMS_329 and AIIMS_330) who displayed elite plasma neutralizing activity against HIV-1. Results BCR-seq of both twins revealed convergent antibody characteristics including V-gene use, CDRH3 lengths and somatic hypermutation (SHM). Further, antibody clonotypes with genetic features similar to highly potent bnAbs isolated from adults showed ongoing development in donor AIIMS_330 but not in AIIMS_329, corroborating our earlier findings based on plasma bnAbs responses. An increase in SHM was observed in sequences of the IgA isotype from AIIMS_330. Discussion This study suggests that children living with chronic HIV-1 can develop clonotypes of HIV-1 bnAbs against multiple envelope epitopes similar to those isolated from adults, highlighting that such B cells could be steered to elicit bnAbs responses through vaccines aimed to induce bnAbs against HIV-1 in a broad range of people including children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjeev Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology and Immunogen Discovery, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Center for Viral Systems Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
- International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) Neutralizing Antibody Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Prashant Bajpai
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB)-Emory Vaccine Center, International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - Collin Joyce
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology and Immunogen Discovery, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Center for Viral Systems Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
- International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) Neutralizing Antibody Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Sushil Kumar Kabra
- Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Rakesh Lodha
- Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Dennis R. Burton
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology and Immunogen Discovery, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Center for Viral Systems Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
- International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) Neutralizing Antibody Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Bryan Briney
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology and Immunogen Discovery, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Center for Viral Systems Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Multi-omics Vaccine Evaluation Consortium, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Kalpana Luthra
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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Kim JW, Kim HJ, Heo K, Lee Y, Jang HJ, Lee HY, Park JW, Cho YB, Lee JH, Shin HG, Yang HR, Choi HL, Shim HB, Lee S. A novel bispecific antibody dual-targeting approach for enhanced neutralization against fast-evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1271508. [PMID: 37822941 PMCID: PMC10562541 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1271508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The emergence of new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants has caused unprecedented health and socioeconomic crises, necessitating the immediate development of highly effective neutralizing antibodies. Despite recent advancements in anti-SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD)-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) derived from convalescent patient samples, their efficacy against emerging variants has been limited. In this study, we present a novel dual-targeting strategy using bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) that specifically recognize both the SARS-CoV-2 RBD and fusion peptide (FP), crucial domains for viral attachment to the host cell membrane and fusion in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods Using phage display technology, we rapidly isolated FP-specific mAbs from an established human recombinant antibody library, identifying K107.1 with a nanomolar affinity for SARS-CoV-2 FP. Furthermore, we generated K203.A, a new bsAb built in immunoglobulin G4-(single-chain variable fragment)2 forms and demonstrating a high manufacturing yield and nanomolar affinity to both the RBD and FP, by fusing K102.1, our previously reported RBD-specific mAb, with K107.1. Results Our comprehensive in vitro functional analyses revealed that the K203.A bsAb significantly outperformed the parental RBD-specific mAb in terms of neutralization efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 variants. Furthermore, intravenous monotherapy with K203.A demonstrated potent in vivo neutralizing activity without significant in vivo toxicity in a mouse model infected with a SARS-CoV-2 variant. Conclusion These findings present a novel bsAb dual-targeting strategy, directed at SARS-CoV-2 RBD and FP, as an effective approach for rapid development and management against continuously evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Woong Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Jung Kim
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyun Heo
- Department of Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Antibody Research Institute, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoonwoo Lee
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hui Jeong Jang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho-Young Lee
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Won Park
- Division of Biomedical Convergence, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yea Bin Cho
- Department of Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hyun Lee
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ha Gyeong Shin
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ha Rim Yang
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Lim Choi
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Bo Shim
- Department of Life Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sukmook Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Antibody Research Institute, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Kumar S, Singh S, Chatterjee A, Bajpai P, Sharma S, Katpara S, Lodha R, Dutta S, Luthra K. Recognition determinants of improved HIV-1 neutralization by a heavy chain matured pediatric antibody. iScience 2023; 26:107579. [PMID: 37649696 PMCID: PMC10462834 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The structural and characteristic features of HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) from chronically infected pediatric donors are currently unknown. Herein, we characterized a heavy chain matured HIV-1 bnAb 44m, identified from a pediatric elite-neutralizer. Interestingly, in comparison to its wild-type AIIMS-P01 bnAb, 44m exhibited moderately higher level of somatic hypermutations of 15.2%. The 44m neutralized 79% of HIV-1 heterologous viruses (n = 58) tested, with a geometric mean IC50 titer of 0.36 μg/mL. The cryo-EM structure of 44m Fab in complex with fully cleaved glycosylated native-like BG505.SOSIP.664.T332N gp140 envelope trimer at 4.4 Å resolution revealed that 44m targets the V3-glycan N332-supersite and GDIR motif to neutralize HIV-1 with improved potency and breadth, plausibly attributed by a matured heavy chain as compared to that of wild-type AIIMS-P01. This study further improves our understanding on pediatric HIV-1 bnAbs and structural basis of broad HIV-1 neutralization by 44m may be useful blueprint for vaccine design in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjeev Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India
- ICGEB-Emory Vaccine Center, International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Swarandeep Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Arnab Chatterjee
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Prashant Bajpai
- ICGEB-Emory Vaccine Center, International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Shaifali Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Sanket Katpara
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Rakesh Lodha
- Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Somnath Dutta
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Kalpana Luthra
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India
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Ullah Nayan M, Sillman B, Hasan M, Deodhar S, Das S, Sultana A, Thai Hoang Le N, Soriano V, Edagwa B, Gendelman HE. Advances in long-acting slow effective release antiretroviral therapies for treatment and prevention of HIV infection. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 200:115009. [PMID: 37451501 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.115009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Adherence to daily oral antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a barrier to both treatment and prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. To overcome limitations of life-long daily regimen adherence, long-acting (LA) injectable antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, nanoformulations, implants, vaginal rings, microarray patches, and ultra-long-acting (ULA) prodrugs are now available or in development. These medicines enable persons who are or at risk for HIV infection to be treated with simplified ART regimens. First-generation LA cabotegravir, rilpivirine, and lenacapavir injectables and a dapivirine vaginal ring are now in use. However, each remains limited by existing dosing intervals, ease of administration, or difficulties in finding drug partners. ULA ART regimens provide an answer, but to date, such next-generation formulations remain in development. Establishing the niche will require affirmation of extended dosing, improved access, reduced injection volumes, improved pharmacokinetic profiles, selections of combination treatments, and synchronization of healthcare support. Based on such needs, this review highlights recent pharmacological advances and a future treatment perspective. While first-generation LA ARTs are available for HIV care, they remain far from ideal in meeting patient needs. ULA medicines, now in advanced preclinical development, may close gaps toward broader usage and treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Ullah Nayan
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, NE, USA
| | - Brady Sillman
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, NE, USA
| | - Mahmudul Hasan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, NE, USA
| | - Suyash Deodhar
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, NE, USA
| | - Srijanee Das
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, NE, USA
| | - Ashrafi Sultana
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, NE, USA
| | - Nam Thai Hoang Le
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, NE, USA
| | | | - Benson Edagwa
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, NE, USA.
| | - Howard E Gendelman
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, NE, USA.
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Joshi LR, Gálvez NM, Ghosh S, Weiner DB, Balazs AB. Delivery platforms for broadly neutralizing antibodies. Curr Opin HIV AIDS 2023; 18:191-208. [PMID: 37265268 PMCID: PMC10247185 DOI: 10.1097/coh.0000000000000803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Passive administration of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) is being evaluated as a therapeutic approach to prevent or treat HIV infections. However, a number of challenges face the widespread implementation of passive transfer for HIV. To reduce the need of recurrent administrations of bNAbs, gene-based delivery approaches have been developed which overcome the limitations of passive transfer. RECENT FINDINGS The use of DNA and mRNA for the delivery of bNAbs has made significant progress. DNA-encoded monoclonal antibodies (DMAbs) have shown great promise in animal models of disease and the underlying DNA-based technology is now being tested in vaccine trials for a variety of indications. The COVID-19 pandemic greatly accelerated the development of mRNA-based technology to induce protective immunity. These advances are now being successfully applied to the delivery of monoclonal antibodies using mRNA in animal models. Delivery of bNAbs using viral vectors, primarily adeno-associated virus (AAV), has shown great promise in preclinical animal models and more recently in human studies. Most recently, advances in genome editing techniques have led to engineering of monoclonal antibody expression from B cells. These efforts aim to turn B cells into a source of evolving antibodies that can improve through repeated exposure to the respective antigen. SUMMARY The use of these different platforms for antibody delivery has been demonstrated across a wide range of animal models and disease indications, including HIV. Although each approach has unique strengths and weaknesses, additional advances in efficiency of gene delivery and reduced immunogenicity will be necessary to drive widespread implementation of these technologies. Considering the mounting clinical evidence of the potential of bNAbs for HIV treatment and prevention, overcoming the remaining technical challenges for gene-based bNAb delivery represents a relatively straightforward path towards practical interventions against HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lok R. Joshi
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Nicolás M.S. Gálvez
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Sukanya Ghosh
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, PA 19104, USA
| | - David B. Weiner
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, PA 19104, USA
| | - Alejandro B. Balazs
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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Taveira N, Figueiredo I, Calado R, Martin F, Bártolo I, Marcelino JM, Borrego P, Cardoso F, Barroso H. An HIV-1/HIV-2 Chimeric Envelope Glycoprotein Generates Binding and Neutralising Antibodies against HIV-1 and HIV-2 Isolates. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24109077. [PMID: 37240423 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24109077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of immunogens that elicit broadly reactive neutralising antibodies (bNAbs) is the highest priority for an HIV vaccine. We have shown that a prime-boost vaccination strategy with vaccinia virus expressing the envelope glycoprotein gp120 of HIV-2 and a polypeptide comprising the envelope regions C2, V3 and C3 elicits bNAbs against HIV-2. We hypothesised that a chimeric envelope gp120 containing the C2, V3 and C3 regions of HIV-2 and the remaining parts of HIV-1 would elicit a neutralising response against HIV-1 and HIV-2. This chimeric envelope was synthesised and expressed in vaccinia virus. Balb/c mice primed with the recombinant vaccinia virus and boosted with an HIV-2 C2V3C3 polypeptide or monomeric gp120 from a CRF01_AG HIV-1 isolate produced antibodies that neutralised >60% (serum dilution 1:40) of a primary HIV-2 isolate. Four out of nine mice also produced antibodies that neutralised at least one HIV-1 isolate. Neutralising epitope specificity was assessed using a panel of HIV-1 TRO.11 pseudoviruses with key neutralising epitopes disrupted by alanine substitution (N160A in V2; N278A in the CD4 binding site region; N332A in the high mannose patch). The neutralisation of the mutant pseudoviruses was reduced or abolished in one mouse, suggesting that neutralising antibodies target the three major neutralising epitopes in the HIV-1 envelope gp120. These results provide proof of concept for chimeric HIV-1/HIV-2 envelope glycoproteins as vaccine immunogens that can direct the antibody response against neutralising epitopes in the HIV-1 and HIV-2 surface glycoproteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno Taveira
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health and Science, 2829-511 Caparica, Portugal
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Inês Figueiredo
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health and Science, 2829-511 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Rita Calado
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Francisco Martin
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Inês Bártolo
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - José M Marcelino
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health and Science, 2829-511 Caparica, Portugal
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Pedro Borrego
- Centre for Public Administration and Public Policies, Institute of Social and Political Sciences, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-663 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Fernando Cardoso
- Unidade de Microbiologia Médica, Saúde Global e Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1099-085 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Helena Barroso
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health and Science, 2829-511 Caparica, Portugal
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