Towards a vaccine against HIV: antibodies raised by a gp41 peptide neutralize the virus and inhibit pathogenesis

Abstract

In spite of numerous attempts, only one vaccine candidate showed a potentiality to prevent HIV infection. Such capacity, unfortunately partial, was due to the activity of specific antibodies, indicating the importance of humoral responses. However, the lack of a specific target did not allow to identify an epitope able to stimulate such a response. In addition, in view of a vaccine with preventive and therapeutic activities, it seems of interest to both be able to neutralize the virus and prevent its pathogenesis. We have identified a gp41 peptide inducing antibodies with such dual properties, therefore representing a future vaccine candidate to test functional capacities to fight HIV infection.