Autologous Neutralizing Antibody Responses Research Articles

Assessing the impact of autologous virus neutralizing antibodies on viral rebound time in postnatally SHIV-infected ART-treated infant rhesus macaques

Assessing the impact of autologous virus neutralizing antibodies on viral rebound time in postnatally SHIV-infected ART-treated infant rhesus macaques

Autologous neutralizing antibody responses after antiretroviral therapy in acute and early HIV-1.

BACKGROUNDEarly antiretroviral therapy initiation (ARTi) in HIV-1 restricts reservoir size and diversity while preserving immune function, potentially improving opportunities for immunotherapeutic cure strategies. For antibody-based cure approaches, the development of autologous neutralizing antibodies (anAbs) after acute/early ARTi is relevant but is poorly understood.METHODSWe characterized antibody responses in a cohort of 23 participants following ARTi in acute HIV (<60 days after acquisition) and early HIV (60-128 days after acquisition).RESULTSPlasma virus sequences at the time of ARTi revealed evidence of escape from anAbs after early, but not acute, ARTi. HIV-1 envelopes representing the transmitted/founder virus(es) (acute ARTi) or escape variants (early ARTi) were tested for sensitivity to longitudinal plasma IgG. After acute ARTi, no anAb responses developed over months to years of suppressive ART. In 2 of the 3 acute ARTi participants who experienced viremia after ARTi, however, anAbs arose shortly thereafter. After early ARTi, anAbs targeting those early variants developed between 12 and 42 weeks of ART and continued to increase in breadth and potency thereafter.CONCLUSIONResults indicate a threshold of virus replication (~60 days) required to induce anAbs, after which they continue to expand on suppressive ART to better target the range of reservoir variants.TRIAL REGISTRATIONClinicalTrials.gov NCT02656511.FUNDINGNIH grants U01AI169767, R01AI162646, UM1AI164570, UM1AI164560, U19AI096109, K23GM112526, T32AI118684, P30AI045008, P30AI027763, R24AI067039; Gilead Sciences grant INUS2361354; Viiv Healthcare grant A126326.

V2 hotspot optimized MVA vaccine expressing stabilized HIV-1 Clade C envelope Gp140 delays acquisition of heterologous Clade C Tier 2 challenges in Mamu-A*01 negative Rhesus Macaques.

Stabilized HIV envelope (Env) trimeric protein immunogens have been shown to induce strong autologous neutralizing antibody response. However, there is limited data on the immunogenicity and efficacy of stabilized Env expressed by a viral vector-based immunogen. Here, we compared the immunogenicity and efficacy of two modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vaccines based on variable loop 2 hotspot (V2 HS) optimized C.1086 envelope (Env) sequences, one expressing the membrane anchored gp150 (MVA-150) and the other expressing soluble uncleaved pre-fusion optimized (UFO) gp140 trimer (MVA-UFO) in a DNA prime/MVA boost approach against heterologous tier 2 SHIV1157ipd3N4 intrarectal challenges in rhesus macaques (RMs). Both MVA vaccines also expressed SIVmac239 Gag and form virus-like particles. The DNA vaccine expressed SIVmac239 Gag, C.1086 gp160 Env and rhesus CD40L as a built-in adjuvant. Additionally, all immunizations were administered intradermally (ID) to reduce induction of vaccine-specific IFNγ+ CD4 T cell responses. Our results showed that both MVA-150 and MVA-UFO vaccines induce comparable Env specific IgG responses in serum and rectal secretions. The vaccine-induced serum antibody showed ADCC and ADCVI activities against the challenge virus. Comparison with a previous study that used similar immunogens via intramuscular route (IM) showed that ID immunizations induced markedly lower SHIV specific CD4 and CD8 T cell responses compared to IM immunizations. Following challenge, MVA-UFO vaccinated animals showed a significant delay in acquisition of SHIV1157ipd3N4 infection but only in Mamu-A*01 negative macaques with an estimated vaccine efficacy of 64% per exposure. The MVA-150 group also showed a trend (p=0.1) for delay in acquisition of SHIV infection with an estimated vaccine efficacy of 57%. The vaccine-induced IFNγ secreting CD8 T cell responses showed a direct association and CD4 T cells showed an inverse association with delay in acquisition of SHIV infection. These results demonstrated that both MVA-150 and MVA-UFO immunogens induce comparable humoral and cellular immunity and the latter provides marginally better protection against heterologous tier 2 SHIV infection. They also demonstrate that DNA/MVA vaccinations delivered by ID route induce better antibody and lower CD4 and CD8 T cell responses compared to IM.

High thermostability improves neutralizing antibody responses induced by native-like HIV-1 envelope trimers

Soluble HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) immunogens are a prime constituent of candidate vaccines designed to induce broadly neutralizing antibodies. Several lines of evidence suggest that enhancing Env immunogen thermostability can improve neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses. Here, we generated BG505 SOSIP.v9 trimers, which displayed virtually no reactivity with non-neutralizing antibodies and showed increased global and epitope thermostability, compared to previous BG505 SOSIP versions. Chemical crosslinking of BG505 SOSIP.v9 further increased the melting temperature to 91.3 °C, which is almost 25 °C higher than that of the prototype SOSIP.664 trimer. Next, we compared the immunogenicity of a palette of BG505-based SOSIP trimers with a gradient of thermostabilities in rabbits. We also included SOSIP.v9 proteins in which a strain-specific immunodominant epitope was masked by glycans to redirect the NAb response to other subdominant epitopes. We found that increased trimer thermostability correlated with increased potency and consistency of the autologous NAb response. Furthermore, glycan masking steered the NAb response to subdominant epitopes without decreasing the potency of the autologous NAb response. In summary, SOSIP.v9 trimers and their glycan masked versions represent an improved platform for HIV-1 Env based vaccination strategies.

Continuous HIV-1 Escape from Autologous Neutralization and Development of Cross-Reactive Antibody Responses Characterizes Slow Disease Progression of Children.

The antibodies with different effector functions evoked by Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) transmitted from mother to child, and their role in the pathogenesis of infected children remain unresolved. So, too, the kinetics and breadth of these responses remain to be clearly defined, compared to those developing in adults. Here, we studied the kinetics of the autologous and heterologous neutralizing antibody (Nab) responses, in addition to antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), in HIV-1 infected children with different disease progression rates followed from close after birth and five years on. Autologous and heterologous neutralization were determined by Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)- and TZMbl-based assays, and ADCC was assessed with the GranToxiLux assay. The reactivity to an immunodominant HIV-1 gp41 epitope, and childhood vaccine antigens, was assessed by ELISA. Newborns displayed antibodies directed towards the HIV-1 gp41 epitope. However, antibodies neutralizing the transmitted virus were undetectable. Nabs directed against the transmitted virus developed usually within 12 months of age in children with slow progression, but rarely in rapid progressors. Thereafter, autologous Nabs persisted throughout the follow-up of the slow progressors and induced a continuous emergence of escape variants. Heterologous cross-Nabs were detected within two years, but their subsequent increase in potency and breadth was mainly a trait of slow progressors. Analogously, titers of antibodies mediating ADCC to gp120 BaL pulsed target cells increased in slow progressors during follow-up. The kinetics of antibody responses to the immunodominant viral antigen and the vaccine antigens were sustained and independent of disease progression. Persistent autologous Nabs triggering viral escape and an increase in the breadth and potency of cross-Nabs are exclusive to HIV-1 infected slowly progressing children.

Common evolutionary features of the envelope glycoprotein of HIV-1 in patients belonging to a transmission chain

The diversity of the HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins (Env) is largely a consequence of the pressure exerted by the adaptive immune response to infection. While it was generally assumed that the neutralizing antibody (NAb) response depended mainly on the infected individual, the concept that virus-related factors could be important in inducing this response has recently emerged. Here, we analyzed the influence of the infecting viral strain in shaping NAb responses in four HIV-1 infected subjects belonging to a transmission chain. We also explored the impact of NAb responses on the functional evolution of the viral quasispecies. The four patients developed a strong autologous neutralizing antibody response that drove viral escape and coincided with a parallel evolution of their infecting quasispecies towards increasing infectious properties, increasing susceptibility to T20 and increasing resistance to both CD4 analogs and V3 loop-directed NAbs. This evolution was associated with identical Env sequence changes at several positions in the V3 loop, the fusion peptide and the HR2 domain of gp41. The common evolutionary pattern of Env in different hosts suggests that the capacity of a given Env to adapt to changing environments may be restricted by functional constraints that limit its evolutionary landscape.

The HIV-1 Envelope Glycoprotein C3/V4 Region Defines a Prevalent Neutralization Epitope following Immunization

SummaryDespite recent progress in engineering native trimeric HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) mimics as vaccine candidates, Env trimers often induce vaccine-matched neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses. Understanding the specificities of autologous NAb responses and the underlying molecular mechanisms restricting the neutralization breadth is therefore informative to improve vaccine efficacy. Here, we delineate the response specificity by single B cell sorting and serum analysis of guinea pigs immunized with BG505 SOSIP.664 Env trimers. Our results reveal a prominent immune target containing both conserved and strain-specific residues in the C3/V4 region of Env in trimer-vaccinated animals. The defined NAb response shares a high degree of similarity with the early NAb response developed by a naturally infected infant from whom the HIV virus strain BG505 was isolated and later developed a broadly NAb response. Our study describes strain-specific responses and their possible evolution pathways, thereby highlighting the potential to broaden NAb responses by immunogen re-design.

Improving the Immunogenicity of Native-like HIV-1 Envelope Trimers by Hyperstabilization

SummaryThe production of native-like recombinant versions of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimer requires overcoming the natural flexibility and instability of the complex. The engineered BG505 SOSIP.664 trimer mimics the structure and antigenicity of native Env. Here, we describe how the introduction of new disulfide bonds between the glycoprotein (gp)120 and gp41 subunits of SOSIP trimers of the BG505 and other genotypes improves their stability and antigenicity, reduces their conformational flexibility, and helps maintain them in the unliganded conformation. The resulting next-generation SOSIP.v5 trimers induce strong autologous tier-2 neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses in rabbits. In addition, the BG505 SOSIP.v6 trimers induced weak heterologous NAb responses against a subset of tier-2 viruses that were not elicited by the prototype BG505 SOSIP.664. These stabilization methods can be applied to trimers from multiple genotypes as components of multivalent vaccines aimed at inducing broadly NAbs (bNAbs).

Virological Control by the CD4-Binding Site Antibody N6 in Simian-Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Rhesus Monkeys.

Passive immunotherapy against HIV-1 will most likely require broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) with maximum breadth and potency to ensure therapeutic efficacy. Recently, the novel CD4 binding site antibody N6 demonstrated extraordinary neutralization breadth and potency against large panels of cross-clade pseudoviruses. We evaluated the in vivo antiviral activity of N6-LS, alone or in combination with the established V3-glycan antibody PGT121, in chronically simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV)-SF162P3-infected macaques. A single dose of N6-LS suppressed plasma viral loads in 4 out of 5 animals at day 7, while the combination of both antibodies suppressed all animals. The combination of both antibodies had no additive antiviral effect compared to a single dose of PGT121, potentially reflecting the nearly 10-fold-higher potency of PGT121 against this SHIV. Viral rebound occurred in the majority of suppressed animals and was linked to declining plasma bnAb levels over time. In addition to the effect on plasma viremia, bnAb administration resulted in significantly reduced proviral DNA levels in PBMCs after 2 weeks and in lymph nodes after 10 weeks. Autologous neutralizing antibody (nAb) responses and CD8+ T-cell responses were not significantly enhanced in the bnAb-treated animals compared to control animals, arguing against their contribution to the viral effects observed. These results confirm the robust antiviral activity of N6-LS in vivo, supporting the further clinical development of this antibody.IMPORTANCE Monocloncal antibodies (MAbs) are being considered for passive immunotherapy of HIV-1 infection. A critical requirement for such strategies is the identification of MAbs that recognize the diversity of variants within circulating but also reservoir viruses, and MAb combinations might be needed to achieve this goal. This study evaluates the novel bnAb N6-LS alone or in combination with the bnAb PGT121, in rhesus macaques that were chronically infected with SHIV. The results demonstrate that N6-LS potently suppressed plasma viral loads in the majority of animals but that the combination with PGT121 was not superior to PGT121 alone in delaying time to viral rebound or reducing peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) or lymph node proviral DNA levels. The occurrence of viral escape variants in an N6-LS-monotreated animal, however, argues for the need to maximize breadth and antiviral efficacy by combining bnAbs for therapeutic indications.

Structure-Based Design of a Soluble Prefusion-Closed HIV-1 Env Trimer with Reduced CD4 Affinity and Improved Immunogenicity.

The HIV-1 envelope (Env) trimer is a target for vaccine design as well as a conformational machine that facilitates virus entry by transitioning between prefusion-closed, CD4-bound, and coreceptor-bound conformations by transitioning into a postfusion state. Vaccine designers have sought to restrict the conformation of the HIV-1 Env trimer to its prefusion-closed state as this state is recognized by most broadly neutralizing, but not nonneutralizing, antibodies. We previously identified a disulfide bond, I201C-A433C (DS), which stabilizes Env in the vaccine-desired prefusion-closed state. When placed into the context of BG505 SOSIP.664, a soluble Env trimer mimic developed by Sanders, Moore, and colleagues, the engineered DS-SOSIP trimer showed reduced conformational triggering by CD4. Here, we further stabilize DS-SOSIP through a combination of structure-based design and 96-well-based expression and antigenic assessment. From 103 designs, we identified one, named DS-SOSIP.4mut, with four additional mutations at the interface of potentially mobile domains of the prefusion-closed structure. We also determined the crystal structures of DS-SOSIP.4mut at 4.1-Å resolution and of an additional DS-SOSIP.6mut variant at 4.3-Å resolution, and these confirmed the formation of engineered disulfide bonds. Notably, DS-SOSIP.4mut elicited a higher ratio of tier 2 autologous titers versus tier 1 V3-sensitive titers than BG505 SOSIP.664. DS-SOSIP.4mut also showed reduced recognition of CD4 and increased thermostability. The improved antigenicity, thermostability, and immunogenicity of DS-SOSIP.4mut suggest utility as an immunogen or a serologic probe; moreover, the specific four alterations identified here, M154, M300, M302, and L320 (4mut), can also be transferred to other HIV-1 Env trimers of interest to improve their properties.IMPORTANCE One approach to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1 is to stabilize the structurally flexible HIV-1 envelope (Env) trimer in a conformation that displays predominantly broadly neutralizing epitopes and few to no nonneutralizing epitopes. The prefusion-closed conformation of HIV-1 Env has been identified as one such preferred conformation, and a current leading vaccine candidate is the BG505 DS-SOSIP variant, comprising two disulfides and an Ile-to-Pro mutation of Env from strain BG505. Here, we introduced additional mutations to further stabilize BG505 DS-SOSIP in the vaccine-preferred prefusion-closed conformation. In guinea pigs, our best mutant, DS-SOSIP.4mut, elicited a significantly higher ratio of autologous versus V3-directed neutralizing antibody responses than the SOSIP-stabilized form. We also observed an improvement in thermostability and a reduction in CD4 affinity. With improved antigenicity, stability, and immunogenicity, DS-SOSIP.4mut-stabilized trimers may have utility as HIV-1 immunogens or in other antigen-specific contexts, such as with B-cell probes.

Survivors Remorse: antibody-mediated protection against HIV-1.

It is clear that antibodies can play a pivotal role in preventing the transmission of HIV-1 and large efforts to identify an effective antibody-based vaccine to quell the epidemic. Shortly after HIV-1 was discovered as the cause of AIDS, the search for epitopes recognized by neutralizing antibodies became the driving strategy for an antibody-based vaccine. Neutralization escape variants were discovered shortly thereafter, and, after almost three decades of investigation, it is now known that autologous neutralizing antibody responses and their selection of neutralization resistant HIV-1 variants can lead to broadly neutralizing antibodies in some infected individuals. This observation drives an intensive effort to identify a vaccine to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies. In contrast, there has been less systematic study of antibody specificities that must rely mainly or exclusively on other protective mechanisms, although non-human primate (NHP) studies as well as the RV144 vaccine trial indicate that non-neutralizing antibodies can contribute to protection. Here we propose a novel strategy to identify new epitope targets recognized by these antibodies for which viral escape is unlikely or impossible.

Sequential and Simultaneous Immunization of Rabbits with HIV-1 Envelope Glycoprotein SOSIP.664 Trimers from Clades A, B and C.

We have investigated the immunogenicity in rabbits of native-like, soluble, recombinant SOSIP.664 trimers based on the env genes of four isolates of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1); specifically BG505 (clade A), B41 (clade B), CZA97 (clade C) and DU422 (clade C). The various trimers were delivered either simultaneously (as a mixture of clade A + B trimers) or sequentially over a 73-week period. Autologous, Tier-2 neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses were generated to the clade A and clade B trimers in the bivalent mixture. When delivered as boosting immunogens to rabbits immunized with the clade A and/or clade B trimers, the clade C trimers also generated autologous Tier-2 NAb responses, the CZA97 trimers doing so more strongly and consistently than the DU422 trimers. The clade C trimers also cross-boosted the pre-existing NAb responses to clade A and B trimers. We observed heterologous Tier-2 NAb responses albeit inconsistently, and with limited overall breath. However, cross-neutralization of the clade A BG505.T332N virus was consistently observed in rabbits immunized only with clade B trimers and then boosted with clade C trimers. The autologous NAbs induced by the BG505, B41 and CZA97 trimers predominantly recognized specific holes in the glycan shields of the cognate virus. The shared location of some of these holes may account for the observed cross-boosting effects and the heterologous neutralization of the BG505.T332N virus. These findings will guide the design of further experiments to determine whether and how multiple Env trimers can together induce more broadly neutralizing antibody responses.

Holes in the Glycan Shield of the Native HIV Envelope Are a Target of Trimer-Elicited Neutralizing Antibodies

A major advance in the search for an HIV vaccine has been the development of a near-native Envelope trimer (BG505 SOSIP.664) that can induce robust autologous Tier 2 neutralization. Here, potently neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (nAbs) from rabbits immunized with BG505 SOSIP.664 are shown to recognize an immunodominant region of gp120 centered on residue 241. Residue 241 occupies a hole in the glycan defenses of the BG505 isolate, with fewer than 3% of global isolates lacking a glycansite at this position. However, at least one conserved glycan site is missing in 89% of viruses, suggesting the presence of glycan holes in most HIV isolates. Serum evidence is consistent with targeting of holes in natural infection. The immunogenic nature of breaches in the glycan shield has been under-appreciated in previous attempts to understand autologous neutralizing antibody responses and has important potential consequences for HIV vaccine design.

Envelope residue 375 substitutions in simian–human immunodeficiency viruses enhance CD4 binding and replication in rhesus macaques

Most simian-human immunodeficiency viruses (SHIVs) bearing envelope (Env) glycoproteins from primary HIV-1 strains fail to infect rhesus macaques (RMs). We hypothesized that inefficient Env binding to rhesus CD4 (rhCD4) limits virus entry and replication and could be enhanced by substituting naturally occurring simian immunodeficiency virus Env residues at position 375, which resides at a critical location in the CD4-binding pocket and is under strong positive evolutionary pressure across the broad spectrum of primate lentiviruses. SHIVs containing primary or transmitted/founder HIV-1 subtype A, B, C, or D Envs with genotypic variants at residue 375 were constructed and analyzed in vitro and in vivo. Bulky hydrophobic or basic amino acids substituted for serine-375 enhanced Env affinity for rhCD4, virus entry into cells bearing rhCD4, and virus replication in primary rhCD4 T cells without appreciably affecting antigenicity or antibody-mediated neutralization sensitivity. Twenty-four RMs inoculated with subtype A, B, C, or D SHIVs all became productively infected with different Env375 variants-S, M, Y, H, W, or F-that were differentially selected in different Env backbones. Notably, SHIVs replicated persistently at titers comparable to HIV-1 in humans and elicited autologous neutralizing antibody responses typical of HIV-1. Seven animals succumbed to AIDS. These findings identify Env-rhCD4 binding as a critical determinant for productive SHIV infection in RMs and validate a novel and generalizable strategy for constructing SHIVs with Env glycoproteins of interest, including those that in humans elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies or bind particular Ig germ-line B-cell receptors.

Achieving Potent Autologous Neutralizing Antibody Responses against Tier 2 HIV-1 Viruses by Strategic Selection of Envelope Immunogens

Advancement in immunogen selection and vaccine design that will rapidly elicit a protective Ab response is considered critical for HIV vaccine protective efficacy. Vaccine-elicited Ab responses must therefore have the capacity to prevent infection by neutralization-resistant phenotypes of transmitted/founder (T/F) viruses that establish infection in humans. Most vaccine candidates to date have been ineffective at generating Abs that neutralize T/F or early variants. In this study, we report that coimmunizing rhesus macaques with HIV-1 gp160 DNA and gp140 trimeric protein selected from native envelope gene sequences (envs) induced neutralizing Abs against Tier 2 autologous viruses expressing cognate envelope (Env). The Env immunogens were selected from envs emerging during the earliest stages of neutralization breadth developing within the first 2 years of infection in two clade B-infected human subjects. Moreover, the IgG responses in macaques emulated the targeting to specific regions of Env known to be associated with autologous and heterologous neutralizing Abs developed within the human subjects. Furthermore, we measured increasing affinity of macaque polyclonal IgG responses over the course of the immunization regimen that correlated with Tier 1 neutralization. In addition, we report firm correlations between Tier 2 autologous neutralization and Tier 1 heterologous neutralization, as well as overall TZM-bl breadth scores. Additionally, the activation of Env-specific follicular helper CD4 T cells in lymphocytes isolated from inguinal lymph nodes of vaccinated macaques correlated with Tier 2 autologous neutralization. These results demonstrate the potential for native Env derived from subjects at the time of neutralization broadening as effective HIV vaccine elements.

Breakthrough of SIV strain smE660 challenge in SIV strain mac239-vaccinated rhesus macaques despite potent autologous neutralizing antibody responses

Although the correlates of immunological protection from human immunodeficiency virus or simian immunodeficiency virus infection remain incompletely understood, it is generally believed that medium to high titers of serum neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) against the challenge virus will prevent infection. This paradigm is based on a series of studies in which passive transfer of HIV-specific nAbs protected rhesus macaques (RMs) from subsequent mucosal challenge with a chimeric human/simian immunodeficiency virus. However, it is unknown whether nAb titers define protection in the setting of active immunization. Here we determined serum nAb titers against breakthrough transmitted/founder (T/F) SIVsmE660-derived envelope glycoprotein (Env) variants from 14 RMs immunized with SIVmac239-based DNA-prime/modified vaccinia virus Ankara-boost vaccine regimens that included GM-CSF or CD40L adjuvants and conferred significant but incomplete protection against repeated low-dose intrarectal challenge. A single Env variant established infection in all RMs except one, with no identifiable genetic signature associated with vaccination breakthrough compared with T/F Envs from four unvaccinated monkeys. Breakthrough T/F Env pseudoviruses were potently neutralized in vitro by heterologous pooled serum from chronically SIVsmE660-infected monkeys at IC50 titers exceeding 1:1,000,000. Remarkably, the T/F Env pseudoviruses from 13 of 14 monkeys were also susceptible to neutralization by autologous prechallenge serum at in vitro IC50 titers ranging from 1:742-1:10,832. These titers were similar to those observed in vaccinated RMs that remained uninfected. These data suggest that the relationship between serum nAb titers and protection from mucosal SIV challenge in the setting of active immunization is more complex than previously recognized, warranting further studies into the balance between immune activation, target cell availability, and protective antibody responses.

Development of broadly neutralizing antibodies from autologous neutralizing antibody responses in HIV infection

Detailed genetic and structural characterization has revealed that broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) against HIV-1 have unusually high levels of somatic hypermutation, long CDRH3 domains, and the ability to target one of four sites of vulnerability on the HIV-1 envelope (Env) glycoproteins. A current priority is to understand how bnAbs are generated during natural infection, and translate this information into immunogens that can elicit bnAb following vaccination. Strain-specific neutralizing antibodies can acquire broad neutralizing capacity when the transmitted/founder Env or a specific Env variant is recognized by an unmutated rearranged germline that has the capacity to develop bnAb-like features. This event could be relatively infrequent, as only certain germlines appear to possess inherent features needed for bnAb activity. Furthermore, the glycosylation pattern and diversity of circulating HIV-1 Envs, as well as the state of the B-cell compartment, may influence the activation and maturation of certain antibody lineages. Collectively, studies over the last year have suggested that the development of HIV-1 Env immunogens that bind and activate bnAb-like germlines is feasible. However, more information about the features of Env variants and the host factors that lead to breadth during natural infection are needed to elicit bnAbs through immunization.

Dynamics of Viral Evolution and Neutralizing Antibody Response after HIV-1 Superinfection

Investigating the incidence and prevalence of HIV-1 superinfection is challenging due to the complex dynamics of two infecting strains. The superinfecting strain can replace the initial strain, be transiently expressed, or persist along with the initial strain in distinct or in recombined forms. Various selective pressures influence these alternative scenarios in different HIV-1 coding regions. We hypothesized that the potency of the neutralizing antibody (NAb) response to autologous viruses would modulate viral dynamics in env following superinfection in a limited set of superinfection cases. HIV-1 env pyrosequencing data were generated from blood plasma collected from 7 individuals with evidence of superinfection. Viral variants within each patient were screened for recombination, and viral dynamics were evaluated using nucleotide diversity. NAb responses to autologous viruses were evaluated before and after superinfection. In 4 individuals, the superinfecting strain replaced the original strain. In 2 individuals, both initial and superinfecting strains continued to cocirculate. In the final individual, the surviving lineage was the product of interstrain recombination. NAb responses to autologous viruses that were detected within the first 2 years of HIV-1 infection were weak or absent for 6 of the 7 recently infected individuals at the time of and shortly following superinfection. These 6 individuals had detectable on-going viral replication of distinct superinfecting virus in the env coding region. In the remaining case, there was an early and strong autologous NAb response, which was associated with extensive recombination in env between initial and superinfecting strains. This extensive recombination made superinfection more difficult to identify and may explain why the detection of superinfection has typically been associated with low autologous NAb titers.

HIV-1 subtype C superinfected individuals mount low autologous neutralizing antibody responses prior to intrasubtype superinfection

BackgroundThe potential role of antibodies in protection against intra-subtype HIV-1 superinfection remains to be understood. We compared the early neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses in three individuals, who were superinfected within one year of primary infection, to ten matched non-superinfected controls from a Zambian cohort of subtype C transmission cases. Sequence analysis of single genome amplified full-length envs from a previous study showed limited diversification in the individuals who became superinfected with the same HIV-1 subtype within year one post-seroconversion. We hypothesized that this reflected a blunted NAb response, which may have made these individuals more susceptible to superinfection.ResultsNeutralization assays showed that autologous plasma NAb responses to the earliest, and in some cases transmitted/founder, virus were delayed and had low to undetectable titers in all three superinfected individuals prior to superinfection. In contrast, NAbs with a median IC50 titer of 1896 were detected as early as three months post-seroconversion in non-superinfected controls. Early plasma NAbs in all subjects showed limited but variable levels of heterologous neutralization breadth. Superinfected individuals also exhibited a trend toward lower levels of gp120- and V1V2-specific IgG binding antibodies but higher gp120-specific plasma IgA binding antibodies.ConclusionsThese data suggest that the lack of development of IgG antibodies, as reflected in autologous NAbs as well as gp120 and V1V2 binding antibodies to the primary infection virus, combined with potentially competing, non-protective IgA antibodies, may increase susceptibility to superinfection in the context of settings where a single HIV-1 subtype predominates.

Intrasubtype C superinfected individuals mount delayed and low-titer autologous neutralizing antibody responses prior to superinfection

Background The potential role of neutralizing antibody in protecting against intra-subtype HIV-1 superinfection remains to be understood. We compared the early neutralizing antibody responses in three individuals, who were superinfected within one year of primary infection, to ten case-matched non-superinfected controls from a Zambian cohort of subtype C transmission cases. Sequence analysis of single genome amplified full-length env showed minimal diversification in the individuals who became superinfected with the same subtype of HIV-1 within year one postseroconversion. We hypothesized that these superinfected individuals had a muted neutralizing antibody response that elicited little pressure on the founder virus to escape. Methods We molecularly cloned envs from virus at the time of seroconversion and from virus at the time point that superinfection was detected. Using a TZM-BL pseudovirus reporter assay, we tested plasma neutralization of these autologous variants over the first year of infection. Results Neutralization assays showed that autologous plasma NAb titers to founder virus were low to undetectable in all three superinfected individuals prior to superinfection. In contrast, neutralizing antibodies with a median IC50 of 1:1896 were detected as early as three months postseroconversion in non-superinfected matched controls. There was no evidence, prior to superinfection, of crossneutralization of superinfecting variants in any of the three cases, although cross-neutralization breadth and potency to the subtype C pseudovirus reference panel was also limited in the plasma from non-superinfected individuals. Although there was a trend towards superinfected individuals having reduced levels of gp120 binding antibodies prior to superinfection compared to nonsuperinfected controls, this difference was not statistically significant between the groups. Conclusion These data suggest that development of antibodies, as reflected in autologous neutralizing antibodies to the primary infection variants, may provide protection and decrease susceptibility to superinfection.