scholarly journals Neutralizing antibody responses to an HIV envelope glycan hole are not easily broadened

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuhe R. Yang ◽  
Laura E. McCoy ◽  
Marit J. van Gils ◽  
Raiees Andrabi ◽  
Hannah L. Turner ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTExtensive studies with subtype A BG505-derived HIV envelope glycoprotein (Env) SOSIP immunogens have revealed that the dominant autologous neutralizing site in rabbits is located in an exposed region of the heavily glycosylated trimer that lacks potential N-linked glycosylation sites at positions 230, 241, and 289. The Env derived from B41, a subtype B virus, shares a glycan hole centered on positions 230 and 289. BG505 and B41 SOSIP immunogens were combined to test whether immunization in rabbits could induce broader Tier 2 neutralizing responses to the common glycan hole shared between BG505 and B41. Here we isolated autologous neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) that were induced by immunization with B41 SOSIP alone, as well as B41 and BG505 co-immunization, and describe their structure in complex with the B41 SOSIP trimer. Our data suggest that distinct autologous nAb lineages are induced by BG505 and B41 immunogens, even when both immunogens were administered together. In contrast to previously described BG505 glycan hole antibodies, the B41-specific nAbs accommodate the highly conserved N241 glycan (>97% conserved), which is present in B41. Single particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) studies confirmed that B41 and BG505-specific nAbs bind to overlapping glycan hole epitopes. In an attempt to broaden the reactivity of a B41-specific nAb, mutations in the BG505 glycan hole epitope guided by our high-resolution data only recovered partial binding. Overall, designing prime-boost immunogens to increase the breath of nAb responses directed at glycan holes epitopes remains challenging even when the typically immunodominant glycan holes despite overlap with different Envs.IMPORTANCEA glycan hole is one of the most dominant autologous neutralizing epitopes targeted on BG505 and B41 SOSIP trimer immunized rabbits. Our high-resolution cryoEM studies of B41 in complex with a B41-specific antibody complex elucidate the molecular basis of this strain-specific glycan hole response. We conclude that eliciting cross-reactive responses to this region would likely require hybrid immunogens that bridge between BG505 and B41.

2020 ◽  
Vol 94 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuhe R. Yang ◽  
Laura E. McCoy ◽  
Marit J. van Gils ◽  
Raiees Andrabi ◽  
Hannah L. Turner ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Extensive studies with subtype A BG505-derived HIV envelope glycoprotein (Env) immunogens have revealed that the dominant autologous neutralizing epitope in rabbits is located in an exposed region of the heavily glycosylated trimer that lacks potential N-linked glycosylation sites at positions 230, 241, and 289. The Env derived from B41, a subtype B virus, shares a glycan hole centered on positions 230 and 289. To test whether broader neutralization to the common glycan hole can be achieved, we immunized rabbits with B41 SOSIP (gp120-gp41 disulfide [SOS] with an isoleucine-to-proline mutation [IP] in gp41) alone, as well as B41 and BG505 coimmunization. We isolated autologous neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) and described their structure in complex with the B41 Env. Our data suggest that distinct autologous nAb lineages are induced by BG505 and B41 immunogens, even when both were administered together. In contrast to previously described BG505 glycan hole antibodies, the B41-specific nAbs accommodate the >97% conserved N241 glycan, which is present in B41. Single-particle cryo-electron microscopy studies confirmed that B41- and BG505-specific nAbs bind to overlapping glycan hole epitopes. We then used our high-resolution data to guide mutations in the BG505 glycan hole epitope in an attempt to broaden the reactivity of a B41-specific nAb, but we recovered only partial binding. Our data demonstrate that the lack of cross-reactivity in glycan hole antibodies is due to amino acid differences within the epitope, and our attempts to rationally design cross-reactive trimers resulted in only limited success. Thus, even for the immunodominant glycan hole shared between BG505 and B41, the prospect of designing prime-boost immunogens remains difficult. IMPORTANCE A glycan hole is one of the most dominant autologous neutralizing epitopes targeted on BG505 and B41 SOSIP trimer-immunized rabbits. Our high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) studies of B41 in complex with a B41-specific antibody complex elucidate the molecular basis of this strain-specific glycan hole response. We conclude that even for the immunodominant glycan hole shared between BG505 and B41, the prospect of designing prime-boost immunogens remains difficult.


2020 ◽  
Vol 94 (24) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Schorcht ◽  
Tom L. G. M. van den Kerkhof ◽  
Christopher A. Cottrell ◽  
Joel D. Allen ◽  
Jonathan L. Torres ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The induction of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) is a major goal in vaccine research. HIV-1-infected individuals that develop exceptionally strong bNAb responses, termed elite neutralizers, can inform vaccine design by providing blueprints for the induction of similar bNAb responses. We describe a new recombinant native-like envelope glycoprotein (Env) SOSIP trimer, termed AMC009, based on the viral founder sequences of an elite neutralizer. The subtype B AMC009 SOSIP protein formed stable native-like trimers that displayed multiple bNAb epitopes. Overall, its structure at 4.3-Å resolution was similar to that of BG505 SOSIP.664. The AMC009 trimer resembled one from a second elite neutralizer, AMC011, in having a dense and complete glycan shield. When tested as immunogens in rabbits, the AMC009 trimers did not induce autologous neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses efficiently while the AMC011 trimers did so very weakly, outcomes that may reflect the completeness of their glycan shields. The AMC011 trimer induced antibodies that occasionally cross-neutralized heterologous tier 2 viruses, sometimes at high titer. Cross-neutralizing antibodies were more frequently elicited by a trivalent combination of AMC008, AMC009, and AMC011 trimers, all derived from subtype B viruses. Each of these three individual trimers could deplete the NAb activity from the rabbit sera. Mapping the polyclonal sera by electron microscopy revealed that antibodies of multiple specificities could bind to sites on both autologous and heterologous trimers. These results advance our understanding of how to use Env trimers in multivalent vaccination regimens and the immunogenicity of trimers derived from elite neutralizers. IMPORTANCE Elite neutralizers, i.e., individuals who developed unusually broad and potent neutralizing antibody responses, might serve as blueprints for HIV-1 vaccine design. Here, we studied the immunogenicity of native-like recombinant envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimers based on viral sequences from elite neutralizers. While immunization with single trimers from elite neutralization did not recapitulate the breadth and potency of neutralization observed in these infected individuals, a combination of three subtype B Env trimers from elite neutralizers resulted in some neutralization breadth within subtype B viruses. These results should guide future efforts to design vaccines to induce broadly neutralizing antibodies.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bartek Nogal ◽  
Laura E. McCoy ◽  
Marit J. van Gils ◽  
Christopher A. Cottrell ◽  
James E. Voss ◽  
...  

AbstractTo date, immunization studies of rabbits with the BG505 SOSIP.664 HIV envelope glycoprotein trimers have revealed the 241/289 glycan hole as the dominant neutralizing antibody epitope. Here, we isolated monoclonal antibodies from a rabbit that did not exhibit glycan hole-dependent autologous serum neutralization. The antibodies did not compete with a previously isolated glycan hole-specific antibody but did compete with N332 glycan supersite broadly neutralizing antibodies. A high resolution cryoEM structure of one of the antibodies in complex with the BG505 SOSIP.664 trimer demonstrated that, while the epitope recognized overlapped with the N332 glycan supersite by contacting the GDIR motif at the base of V3, the primary contacts were located in the variable V1 loop. These data suggest that strain-specific responses to V1 may interfere with broadly neutralizing responses to the N332 glycan supersite and vaccine immunogens may require engineering to minimize these off-target responses or steer them toward a more desirable pathway.


2007 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 638-651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Li ◽  
Bradley Cleveland ◽  
Igor Klots ◽  
Bruce Travis ◽  
Barbra A. Richardson ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Glycans on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope protein play an important role in infection and evasion from host immune responses. To examine the role of specific glycans, we introduced single or multiple mutations into potential N-linked glycosylation sites in hypervariable regions (V1 to V3) of the env gene of HIV type 1 (HIV-1) 89.6. Three mutants tested showed enhanced sensitivity to soluble CD4. Mutant N7 (N197Q) in the carboxy-terminal stem of the V2 loop showed the most pronounced increase in sensitivity to broadly neutralizing antibodies (NtAbs), including those targeting the CD4-binding site (IgG1b12) and the V3 loop (447-52D). This mutant is also sensitive to CD4-induced NtAb 17b in the absence of CD4. Unlike the wild-type (WT) Env, mutant N7 mediates CD4-independent infection in U87-CXCR4 cells. To study the immunogenicity of mutant Env, we immunized pig-tailed macaques with recombinant vaccinia viruses, one expressing SIVmac239 Gag-Pol and the other expressing HIV-1 89.6 Env gp160 in WT or mutant forms. Animals were boosted 14 to 16 months later with simian immunodeficiency virus gag DNA and the cognate gp140 protein before intrarectal challenge with SHIV89.6P-MN. Day-of-challenge sera from animals immunized with mutant N7 Env had significantly higher and broader neutralizing activities than sera from WT Env-immunized animals. Neutralizing activity was observed against SHIV89.6, SHIV89.6P-MN, HIV-1 SF162, and a panel of subtype B primary isolates. Compared to control animals, immunized animals showed significant reduction of plasma viral load and increased survival after challenge, which correlated with prechallenge NtAb titers. These results indicate the potential advantages for glycan modification in vaccine design, although the role of specific glycans requires further examination.


mSphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zanele Ditse ◽  
Nonhlanhla N. Mkhize ◽  
Michael Yin ◽  
Michael Keefer ◽  
David C. Montefiori ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Analysis of breakthrough HIV-1 infections could elucidate whether prior vaccination primes relevant immune responses. Here, we measured HIV-specific antibody responses in 14 South African volunteers who acquired HIV infection after participating in phase 1/2 trials of envelope-containing immunogens. Serum samples were collected annually following HIV-1 infection from participants in trials HVTN 073 (subtype C, DNA/MVA, phase 1 trial, n = 1), HVTN 086 (subtype C, DNA/MVA/gp140 protein, phase 1 trial, n = 2), and HVTN 204 (multisubtype, DNA/adenovirus serotype 5 [Ad5], phase 2 trial, n = 7) and 4 placebo recipients. Binding and neutralizing antibody responses to Env proteins and peptides were determined pre- and post-HIV infection using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the TZM-bl cell neutralization assay, respectively. HIV-infected South African individuals served as unvaccinated controls. Binding antibodies to gp41, V3, V2, the membrane-proximal external region (MPER), and the CD4 binding site were detected from the first year of HIV-1 subtype C infection, and the levels were similar in vaccinated and placebo recipients. Neutralizing antibody responses against tier 1A viruses were detected in all participants, with the highest titers being to a subtype C virus, MW965.26. No responses were observed just prior to infection, indicating that vaccine-primed HIV-specific antibodies had waned. Sporadic neutralization activity against tier 2 isolates was observed after 2 to 3 years of HIV infection, but these responses were similar in the vaccinated and placebo groups as well as the unvaccinated controls. Our data suggest that prior vaccination with these immunogens did not alter the antibody responses to HIV-1 infection, nor did it accelerate the development of HIV neutralization breadth. IMPORTANCE There is a wealth of information on HIV-specific vaccine-induced immune responses among HIV-uninfected participants; however, data on immune responses among participants who acquire HIV after vaccination are limited. Here we show that HIV-specific binding antibody responses in individuals with breakthrough HIV infections were not affected by prior vaccination with HIV envelope-containing immunogens. We also found that these vectored vaccines did not prime tier 2 virus-neutralizing antibody responses, which are thought to be required for prevention against HIV acquisition, or accelerate the development of neutralization breadth. Although this study is limited, such studies can provide insights into whether vaccine-elicited antibody responses are boosted by HIV infection to acquire broader neutralizing activity, which may help to identify antigens relevant to the design of more effective vaccines.


mBio ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Martinez ◽  
Joshua J. Tu ◽  
Amit Kumar ◽  
Jesse F. Mangold ◽  
Riley J. Mangan ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Each year, >180,000 infants become infected via mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV despite the availability of effective maternal antiretroviral treatments, underlining the need for a maternal HIV vaccine. We characterized 224 maternal HIV envelope (Env)-specific IgG monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) from seven nontransmitting and transmitting HIV-infected U.S. and Malawian mothers and examined their neutralization activities against nontransmitted autologous circulating viruses and infant-transmitted founder (infant-T/F) viruses. Only a small subset of maternal viruses, 3 of 72 (4%), were weakly neutralized by maternal linear V3 epitope-specific IgG MAbs, whereas 6 out of 6 (100%) infant-T/F viruses were neutralization resistant to these V3-specific IgG MAbs. We also show that maternal-plasma broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAb) responses targeting the V3 glycan supersite in a transmitting woman may have selected for an N332 V3 glycan neutralization-resistant infant-T/F virus. These data have important implications for bNAb-eliciting vaccines and passively administered bNAbs in the setting of MTCT. IMPORTANCE Efforts to eliminate MTCT of HIV with antiretroviral therapy (ART) have met little success, with >180,000 infant infections each year worldwide. It is therefore likely that additional immunologic strategies that can synergize with ART will be required to eliminate MTCT of HIV. To this end, understanding the role of maternal HIV Env-specific IgG antibodies in the setting of MTCT is crucial. In this study, we found that maternal-plasma broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAb) responses can select for T/F viruses that initiate infection in infants. We propose that clinical trials testing the efficacy of single bNAb specificities should not include HIV-infected pregnant women, as a single bNAb might select for neutralization-resistant infant-T/F viruses.


Vaccine ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (37) ◽  
pp. 5519-5526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franco Pissani ◽  
Delphine C. Malherbe ◽  
Harlan Robins ◽  
Victor R. DeFilippis ◽  
Byung Park ◽  
...  

2010 ◽  
Vol 84 (7) ◽  
pp. 3270-3279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph P. Nkolola ◽  
Hanqin Peng ◽  
Ethan C. Settembre ◽  
Michael Freeman ◽  
Lauren E. Grandpre ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The native envelope (Env) spike on the surface of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is trimeric, and thus trimeric Env vaccine immunogens are currently being explored in preclinical immunogenicity studies. Key challenges have included the production and purification of biochemically homogeneous and stable trimers and the evaluation of these immunogens utilizing standardized virus panels for neutralization assays. Here we report the binding and neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses elicited by clade A (92UG037.8) and clade C (CZA97.012) Env gp140 trimer immunogens in guinea pigs. These trimers have been selected and engineered for optimal biochemical stability and have defined antigenic properties. Purified gp140 trimers with Ribi adjuvant elicited potent, cross-clade NAb responses against tier 1 viruses as well as detectable but low-titer NAb responses against select tier 2 viruses from clades A, B, and C. In particular, the clade C trimer elicited NAbs that neutralized 27%, 20%, and 47% of tier 2 viruses from clades A, B, and C, respectively. Heterologous DNA prime, protein boost as well as DNA prime, recombinant adenovirus boost regimens expressing these antigens, however, did not result in an increased magnitude or breadth of NAb responses in this system. These data demonstrate the immunogenicity of stable, homogeneous clade A and clade C gp140 trimers and exemplify the utility of standardized tier 1 and tier 2 virus panels for assessing the NAb responses of candidate HIV-1 Env immunogens.


Retrovirology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (S2) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Hoffenberg ◽  
S Kosakovsky Pond ◽  
A Carpov ◽  
D Wagner ◽  
A Wilson ◽  
...  

2005 ◽  
Vol 79 (16) ◽  
pp. 10200-10209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Peng ◽  
Liqun Rejean Wang ◽  
Victor Raúl Gómez-Román ◽  
Alberta Davis-Warren ◽  
David C. Montefiori ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT A major challenge in combating the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic is the development of vaccines capable of inducing potent, persistent cellular immunity and broadly reactive neutralizing antibody responses to HIV type 1 (HIV-1). We report here the results of a preclinical trial using the chimpanzee model to investigate a combination vaccine strategy involving sequential priming immunizations with different serotypes of adenovirus (Ad)/HIV-1MN env/rev recombinants and boosting with an HIV envelope subunit protein, oligomeric HIVSF162 gp140ΔV2. The immunogenicities of replicating and nonreplicating Ad/HIV-1MN env/rev recombinants were compared. Replicating Ad/HIV recombinants were better at eliciting HIV-specific cellular immune responses and better at priming humoral immunity against HIV than nonreplicating Ad-HIV recombinants carrying the same gene insert. Enhanced cellular immunity was manifested by a greater frequency of HIV envelope-specific gamma interferon-secreting peripheral blood lymphocytes and better priming of T-cell proliferative responses. Enhanced humoral immunity was seen in higher anti-envelope binding and neutralizing antibody titers and better induction of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. More animals primed with replicating Ad recombinants mounted neutralizing antibodies against heterologous R5 viruses after one or two booster immunizations with the mismatched oligomeric HIV-1SF162 gp140ΔV2 protein. These results support continued development of the replicating Ad-HIV recombinant vaccine approach and suggest that the use of replicating vectors for other vaccines may prove fruitful.


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