scholarly journals Humoral Response to the HIV-1 Envelope V2 Region in a Thai Early Acute Infection Cohort

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trinh ◽  
Gohain ◽  
Pham ◽  
Hamlin ◽  
Song ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Infection ◽  
Vaccine Trial ◽  
Humoral Response ◽  
Antibody Responses ◽  
Viral Escape ◽  
Single Genome ◽  
Acute Hiv ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Hiv 1 ◽  
Rv144 Vaccine

Reduced risk of HIV-1 infection correlated with antibody responses to the envelope variable 1 and 2 regions in the RV144 vaccine trial. To understand the relationship between antibody responses, V2 sequence, and structure, plasma samples (n = 16) from an early acute HIV-1 infection cohort from Thailand infected with CRF01_AE strain were analyzed for binding to V2 peptides by surface plasmon resonance. Five participants with a range of V2 binding responses at week 24 post-infection were further analyzed against a set of four overlapping V2 peptides that were designed based on envelope single-genome amplification. Antibody responses that were relatively consistent over the four segments of the V2 region or a focused response to the C-strand (residues 165–186) of the V2 region were observed. Viral escape in the V2 region resulted in significantly reduced antibody binding. Structural modeling indicated that the C-strand and the sites of viral variation were highly accessible in the open conformation of the HIV-1 Env trimer. V2 residues, 165–186 are preferentially targeted during acute infection. Residues 169–184 were also preferentially targeted by the protective immune response in the RV144 trial, thus emphasizing the importance of these residues for vaccine design.

scholarly journals Frequencies of circulating Th1-biased T follicular helper cells in acute HIV-1 infection correlate with the development of HIV-specific antibody responses and lower set point viral load

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omolara Baiyegunhi ◽  
Bongiwe Ndlovu ◽  
Funsho Ogunshola ◽  
Nasreen Ismail ◽  
Bruce D. Walker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Antibody Responses ◽  
Set Point ◽  
Follicular Helper ◽  
Clade C ◽  
Acute Hiv ◽  
Anti Hiv ◽  
Hiv 1

AbstractDespite decades of focused research, the field has yet to develop a prophylactic vaccine. In the RV144 vaccine trial, non-neutralizing antibody responses were identified as a correlate for prevention of HIV acquisition. However, factors that predict the development of such antibodies are not fully elucidated. We sought to define the contribution of circulating T follicular helper (cTfh) cell subsets to the development of non-neutralizing antibodies in HIV-1 clade C infection. Study participants were recruited from an acute HIV-1 clade C infection cohort. Plasma anti-gp41, -gp120, -p24 and -p17 antibodies were screened using a customized multivariate Luminex assay. Phenotypic and functional characterization of cTfh were performed using HLA class II tetramers and intracellular cytokine staining. In this study, we found that acute HIV-1 clade C infection skewed differentiation of functional cTfh subsets towards increased Tfh1 (p=0.02) and Tfh2 (p<0.0001) subsets, with a concomitant decrease in overall Tfh1-17 (that shares both Tfh1 and Tfh17 properties) (p=0.01) and Tfh17 subsets (p<0.0001) compared to HIV negative subjects. Interestingly, the frequencies of Tfh1 during acute infection (5.0-8.0 weeks post-infection) correlated negatively with set point viral load (p=0.03, r=-60) and were predictive of p24-specific plasma IgG titers at one year of infection (p=0.003, r=0.85). Taken together, our results suggest that circulating the Tfh1 subset plays an important role in the development of anti-HIV antibody responses and contributes to HIV suppression during acute HIV-1 infection. These results have implications for vaccine studies aimed at inducing long lasting anti-HIV antibody responses.ImportanceThe HIV epidemic in southern Africa accounts for almost half of the global HIV burden with HIV-1 clade C being the predominant strain. It is therefore important to define immune correlates of clade C HIV control that might have implications for vaccine design in this region. T follicular helper (Tfh) cells are critical for the development of HIV-specific antibody responses and could play a role in viral control. Here we showed that the early induction of circulating Tfh1 cells during acute infection correlated positively with the magnitude of p24-specific IgG and was associated with lower set point viral load. This study highlights a key Tfh cell subset that could limit HIV replication by enhancing antibody generation. This study underscores the importance of circulating Tfh cells in promoting non-neutralizing antibodies during HIV-1 infection.

scholarly journals Frequencies of Circulating Th1-Biased T Follicular Helper Cells in Acute HIV-1 Infection Correlate with the Development of HIV-Specific Antibody Responses and Lower Set Point Viral Load

2018 ◽  
Vol 92 (15) ◽  
Author(s):  
Omolara Baiyegunhi ◽  
Bongiwe Ndlovu ◽  
Funsho Ogunshola ◽  
Nasreen Ismail ◽  
Bruce D. Walker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Antibody Responses ◽  
Set Point ◽  
Tfh Cells ◽  
Follicular Helper ◽  
Clade C ◽  
Acute Hiv ◽  
Anti Hiv ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACTDespite decades of focused research, the field has yet to develop a prophylactic vaccine for HIV-1 infection. In the RV144 vaccine trial, nonneutralizing antibody responses were identified as a correlate for prevention of HIV acquisition. However, factors that predict the development of such antibodies are not fully elucidated. We sought to define the contribution of circulating T follicular helper (cTfh) subsets to the development of nonneutralizing antibodies in HIV-1 clade C infection. Study participants were recruited from an acute HIV-1 clade C infection cohort. Plasma anti-gp41, -gp120, -p24, and -p17 antibodies were screened using a customized multivariate Luminex assay. Phenotypic and functional characterizations of cTfh cells were performed using HLA class II tetramers and intracellular cytokine staining. In this study, we found that acute HIV-1 clade C infection skewed the differentiation of functional cTfh subsets toward increased Tfh1 (P= 0.02) and Tfh2 (P< 0.0001) subsets, with a concomitant decrease in overall Tfh1-17 (which shares both Tfh1 and Tfh17 properties) (P= 0.01) and Tfh17 (P< 0.0001) subsets, compared to the subsets found in HIV-negative subjects. Interestingly, the frequencies of Tfh1 cells during acute infection (5.0 to 8.0 weeks postinfection) correlated negatively with the set point viral load (P= 0.03, Spearman rho [r] = −60) and were predictive of p24-specific plasma IgG titers at 1 year of infection (P= 0.003,r= 0.85). Taken together, our results suggest that the circulating Tfh1 subset plays an important role in the development of anti-HIV antibody responses and contributes to HIV suppression during acute HIV-1 infection. These results have implications for vaccine studies aimed at inducing long-lasting anti-HIV antibody responses.IMPORTANCEThe HIV epidemic in southern Africa accounts for almost half of the global HIV burden, with HIV-1 clade C being the predominant strain. It is therefore important to define immune correlates of clade C HIV control that might have implications for vaccine design in this region. T follicular helper (Tfh) cells are critical for the development of HIV-specific antibody responses and could play a role in viral control. Here we showed that the early induction of circulating Tfh1 cells during acute infection correlated positively with the magnitude of p24-specific IgG and was associated with a lower set point viral load. This study highlights a key Tfh cell subset that could limit HIV replication by enhancing antibody generation. This study underscores the importance of circulating Tfh cells in promoting nonneutralizing antibodies during HIV-1 infection.

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

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 260
Author(s):  
Stefania Dispinseri ◽  
Mariangela Cavarelli ◽  
Monica Tolazzi ◽  
Anna Maria Plebani ◽  
Marianne Jansson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Progression ◽  
Antibody Responses ◽  
Viral Escape ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Transmitted Virus ◽  
Slow Progressors ◽  
Vaccine Antigens ◽  
Kinetics Of ◽  
Hiv 1

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.

scholarly journals Limited evidence for a relationship between HIV-1 glycan shield features in early infection and the development of neutralization breadth

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yifan Li ◽  
Hongjun Bai ◽  
Eric Sanders-Buell ◽  
Vincent Dussupt ◽  
Samantha Townsley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Early Infection ◽  
Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Limited Evidence ◽  
Founder Virus ◽  
Vaccine Antigens ◽  
Acute Hiv ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Hiv 1 ◽  
Reactive Antibody

Identifying if viral features present in acute HIV-1 infection predetermine the development of neutralization breadth is critical to vaccine design. Incorporating such features in vaccine antigens could initiate cross-reactive antibody responses that could sufficiently protect vaccinees from HIV-1 infection despite the uniqueness of each founder virus. To understand the relationship between Env determinants and the development of neutralization breadth, we focused on 197 individuals enrolled in two cohorts in Thailand and East Africa (RV144 and RV217) and followed since their diagnosis in acute or early HIV-1 infection. We analyzed the distribution of variable loop lengths and glycans as well as the predicted density of the glycan shield and compared these envelope features to the neutralization breadth data obtained three years after infection (n = 121). Our study revealed limited evidence for glycan shield features that associate with the development of neutralization breadth. While the glycan shield tended to be denser in participants who subsequently developed breadth, no significant relationship was found between the size of glycan holes and the development of neutralization breadth. The parallel analysis of 3,000 independent Env sequences showed no evidence of directional evolution of glycan shield features since the beginning of the epidemic. Together, our results highlight that glycan shield features in acute and early HIV-1 infection may not play a role determinant enough to dictate the development of neutralization breadth, and instead suggest that the glycan shield’s reactive properties that are associated with immune evasion may have a greater impact. IMPORTANCE A major goal of HIV-1 vaccine research is to design vaccine candidates that elicit potent broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs). Different viral features have been associated with the development of broadly neutralizing antibodies, including the glycan shield on the surface of the HIV-1 Envelope (Env). Here, we analyzed data from two cohorts of individuals who were followed from early infection to several years after infection spanning multiple HIV-1 subtypes. We compared Env glycan features in HIV-1 sequences obtained in early infection to the potency and breadth of neutralizing antibodies measured one to three years after infection. We found limited evidence of glycan shield properties that associate with the development of neutralization breadth in these cohorts. These results may have important implications for antigen design in future vaccine strategies and emphasize that HIV-1 vaccines will need to rely on a complex set of properties to elicit neutralization breadth.

scholarly journals A VH1-69 antibody lineage from an infected Chinese donor potently neutralizes HIV-1 by targeting the V3 glycan supersite

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (38) ◽  
pp. eabb1328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonu Kumar ◽  
Bin Ju ◽  
Benjamin Shapero ◽  
Xiaohe Lin ◽  
Li Ren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Sorting ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Viral Escape ◽  
Germline Gene ◽  
Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Single Genome ◽  
Hiv 1

An oligomannose patch around the V3 base of HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) is recognized by multiple classes of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). Here, we investigated the bNAb response to the V3 glycan supersite in an HIV-1–infected Chinese donor by Env-specific single B cell sorting, structural and functional studies, and longitudinal analysis of antibody and virus repertoires. Monoclonal antibodies 438-B11 and 438-D5 were isolated that potently neutralize HIV-1 with moderate breadth, are encoded by the VH1-69 germline gene, and have a disulfide-linked long HCDR3 loop. Crystal structures of Env-bound and unbound antibodies revealed heavy chain–mediated recognition of the glycan supersite with a unique angle of approach and a critical role of the intra-HCDR3 disulfide. The mechanism of viral escape was examined via single-genome amplification/sequencing and glycan mutations around the N332 supersite. Our findings further emphasize the V3 glycan supersite as a prominent target for Env-based vaccine design.

scholarly journals Better Viral Control despite Higher CD4+ T Cell Activation during Acute HIV-1 Infection in Zambian Women Is Linked to the Sex Hormone Estradiol

2020 ◽  
Vol 94 (16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elina El-Badry ◽  
Gladys Macharia ◽  
Daniel Claiborne ◽  
Kelsie Brooks ◽  
Darío A. Dilernia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Cell Loss ◽  
Viral Control ◽  
Acute Hiv ◽  
17Β Estradiol ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACT The influence of biological sex on disease progression in HIV-1-infected individuals has been focused on the chronic stage of infection, but little is known about how sex differences influence acute HIV-1 infection. We observed profound differences in viral load and CD4+ T cell activation from the earliest time points in men and women in a Zambian heterosexual acute infection cohort. Women exhibited a >2-fold higher rate of CD4+ T cell loss despite significantly lower viral loads (VL) than men. The importance of studying acute infection was highlighted by the observation that very early in infection, women exhibited significantly higher levels of CD4+ T cell activation, a difference that was lost over the first 3 years of infection as activation in men increased. In women, activation of CD4+ T cells in the acute phase was significantly correlated with plasma levels of 17β-estradiol (E2). However, unlike in men, higher CD4+ T cell activation in women was not associated with higher VL. In contrast, a higher E2 level in early infection was associated with lower early and set-point VL in women. We attribute this to an inhibitory effect of estradiol on virus replication, which we were able to observe with relevant transmitted/founder viruses in vitro. Thus, estradiol plays a key role in defining major differences between men and women during early HIV-1 infection by contributing to both viral control and CD4+ T cell loss, an effect that extends into the chronic phase of the disease. IMPORTANCE Previous studies have identified sex-specific differences during chronic HIV-1 infection, but little is known about sex differences in the acute phase, or how disparities in the initial response to the virus may affect disease. We demonstrate that restriction of viral load in women begins during acute infection and is maintained into chronic infection. Despite this, women exhibit more rapid CD4+ T cell loss than men. These profound differences are influenced by 17β-estradiol, which contributes both to T cell activation and to reduced viral replication. Thus, we conclude that estradiol plays a key role in shaping responses to early HIV-1 infection that influence the chronic phase of disease.

scholarly journals HIV-1 Envelope Glycosylation and the Signal Peptide

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory S. Lambert ◽  
Chitra Upadhyay
Keyword(s):  
Signal Peptide ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Vaccine Trial ◽  
Vaccine Design ◽  
Antibody Responses ◽  
Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Structural Determinants ◽  
Humoral Immune ◽  
Env Protein ◽  
Hiv 1

The RV144 trial represents the only vaccine trial to demonstrate any protective effect against HIV-1 infection. While the reason(s) for this protection are still being evaluated, it serves as justification for widespread efforts aimed at developing new, more effective HIV-1 vaccines. Advances in our knowledge of HIV-1 immunogens and host antibody responses to these immunogens are crucial to informing vaccine design. While the envelope (Env) protein is the only viral protein present on the surface of virions, it exists in a complex trimeric conformation and is decorated with an array of variable N-linked glycans, making it an important but difficult target for vaccine design. Thus far, efforts to elicit a protective humoral immune response using structural mimics of native Env trimers have been unsuccessful. Notably, the aforementioned N-linked glycans serve as a component of many of the epitopes crucial for the induction of potentially protective broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs). Thus, a greater understanding of Env structural determinants, most critically Env glycosylation, will no doubt be of importance in generating effective immunogens. Recent studies have identified the HIV-1 Env signal peptide (SP) as an important contributor to Env glycosylation. Further investigation into the mechanisms by which the SP directs glycosylation will be important, both in the context of understanding HIV-1 biology and in order to inform HIV-1 vaccine design.

scholarly journals Deep Sequencing Reveals Central Nervous System Compartmentalization in Multiple Transmitted/Founder Virus Acute HIV-1 Infection

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 902 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sodsai Tovanabutra ◽  
Rujipas Sirijatuphat ◽  
Phuc Pham ◽  
Lydia Bonar ◽  
Elizabeth Harbolick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Neurological Impairment ◽  
Envelope Gene ◽  
Founder Virus ◽  
Single Genome ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Acute Hiv ◽  
Tissue Compartments ◽  
Hiv 1

HIV-1 disseminates to a broad range of tissue compartments during acute HIV-1 infection (AHI). The central nervous system (CNS) can serve as an early and persistent site of viral replication, which poses a potential challenge for HIV-1 remission strategies that target the HIV reservoir. CNS compartmentalization is a key feature of HIV-1 neuropathogenesis. Thus far, the timing of how early CNS compartmentalization develops after infection is unknown. We examined whether HIV-1 transmitted/founder (T/F) viruses differ between CNS and blood during AHI using single-genome sequencing of envelope gene and further examined subregions in pol and env using next-generation sequencing in paired plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 18 individuals. Different proportions of mostly minor variants were found in six of the eight multiple T/F-infected individuals, indicating enrichment of some variants in CSF that may lead to significant compartmentalization in the later stages of infection. This study provides evidence for the first time that HIV-1 compartmentalization in the CNS can occur within days of HIV-1 exposure in multiple T/F infections. Further understanding of factors that determine enrichment of T/F variants in the CNS, as well as potential long-term implications of these findings for persistence of HIV-1 reservoirs and neurological impairment in HIV, is needed.

scholarly journals Correction: Trinh, H.V., et al. Humoral Response to the HIV-1 Envelope V2 Region in a Thai Early Acute Infection Cohort. Cells 2019, 8, 365

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 554
Author(s):  
Hung V. Trinh ◽  
Neelakshi Gohain ◽  
Peter T. Pham ◽  
Christopher Hamlin ◽  
Hongshuo Song ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Infection ◽  
Humoral Response ◽  
Original Version ◽  
Hiv 1

In the original version of our article [...]

scholarly journals Fcgbp – A Potential Viral Trap in RV144

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacquelyn L Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Innate Immunity ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Sexual Transmission ◽  
Vaccine Trial ◽  
Igg Binding ◽  
Viral Antibody ◽  
Sexual Transmission Of Hiv ◽  
Hiv 1 ◽  
Partial Success ◽  
Rv144 Vaccine

Years of extensive research have yielded much knowledge in many aspects of HIV-1 infection, treatments, and education. However, without a vaccine, the number of people infected worldwide continues to grow. The partial success of the Thai RV144 vaccine trial provides hope that a method of protection is indeed possible. Understanding the mechanism behind the protection is critical if we hope to achieve our goal of inhibiting new infections of HIV-1. We hypothesize that the Fc of IgG binding protein (Fcgbp) is associated with the protection observed in the RV144 vaccine trial. It has the ability to trap viral-antibody complexes in the mucosa by binding the Fc of IgG to Fcgbp. This property could be used in the form of a microbicide containing antibodies to a variety of HIV-1 epitopes to prevent sexual transmission of HIV-1. The aim of this paper is to stimulate further research into Fcgbp and its role in innate immunity.

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