Abstract
The HIV-1 pandemic remains a major burden on global public health and a vaccine to prevent HIV-1 infection is highly desirable but has not yet been developed. Among the many roadblocks to achieve this goal, the high antigenic diversity of the HIV-1 envelope protein (Env) is one of the most important and challenging to overcome. The recent development of broadly neutralizing antibodies has considerably improved our knowledge on Env structure and its interplay with neutralizing antibodies. This review aims at highlighting how the genetic diversity of HIV-1 thwarts current, and possibly future, vaccine developments. We will focus on the impact of HIV-1 Env diversification on the sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies and the repercussions of this continuous process at a population level.
Highlights
Prevention strategies against HIV-1 infection have been transformed in recent years with the implementation of the pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) using antiretroviral drugs
We will focus on the current knowledge on the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein diversity and its evolving nature leading to a continuously increasing resistance to neutralizing antibodies (NAbs), with major consequences in the HIV-1 vaccine field
HIV-1 diversity, which is considerable for the envelope glycoproteins, is a major hurdle to achieving the goal of an effective vaccine
Summary
Prevention strategies against HIV-1 infection have been transformed in recent years with the implementation of the pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) using antiretroviral drugs. The HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins, which mediate entry into host cells, are the target of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) and constitute the key antigen for a prophylactic vaccine. This armored door is locked and no antigenic form able to enter an efficient vaccine has been identified yet. This is largely due to the huge antigenic diversity of the envelope glycoproteins, which can represent up to 35% difference in amino acid sequences between subtypes. We will focus on the current knowledge on the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein diversity and its evolving nature leading to a continuously increasing resistance to NAbs, with major consequences in the HIV-1 vaccine field
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
