Harnessing the protective potential of HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies.

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: S Abigail Smith, Yerkes National Primate Research Center; Cynthia Derdeyn, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2016
• Publisher: F1000Research
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2016 Smith SA and Derdeyn CA.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.7254.1
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: F1000Research
• ISSN: 2046-1402
• Volume: 5
• Grant/Funding Information: CAD and SAS are supported by NIH-R01-AI58706.
• Keywords: antibody-mediated therapy; human immunodeficiency virus type 1; broadly neutralizing antibody; antibody-mediated protection; HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, General; Biology, Virology

Abstract

Recent biological, structural, and technical advances are converging within the HIV-1 vaccine field to harness the power of antibodies for prevention and therapy. Numerous monoclonal antibodies with broad neutralizing activity against diverse HIV-1 isolates have now been identified, revealing at least five sites of vulnerability on the envelope (Env) glycoproteins. While there are practical and technological barriers blocking a clear path from broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAb) to a protective vaccine, this is not a dead end. Scientists are revisiting old approaches with new technology, cutting new trails through unexplored territory, and paving new roads in the hopes of preventing HIV-1 infection. Other promising avenues to capitalize on the power of bNAbs are also being pursued, such as passive antibody immunotherapy and gene therapy approaches. Moreover, non-neutralizing antibodies have inhibitory activities that could have protective potential, alone or in combination with bNAbs. With a new generation of bNAbs, and a clinical trial that associated antibodies with reduced acquisition, the field is closer than ever to developing strategies to use antibodies against HIV-1.