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1.
Adv Sci (Weinh) ; : e2309268, 2024 May 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38704686

ABSTRACT

Broadly neutralizing antibodies are proposed as therapeutic and prophylactic agents against HIV-1, but their potency and breadth are less than optimal. This study describes the immunization of a llama with the prefusion-stabilized HIV-1 envelope (Env) trimer, BG505 DS-SOSIP, and the identification and improvement of potent neutralizing nanobodies recognizing the CD4-binding site (CD4bs) of vulnerability. Two of the vaccine-elicited CD4bs-targeting nanobodies, G36 and R27, when engineered into a triple tandem format with llama IgG2a-hinge region and human IgG1-constant region (G36×3-IgG2a and R27×3-IgG2a), neutralized 96% of a multiclade 208-strain panel at geometric mean IC80s of 0.314 and 0.033 µg mL-1, respectively. Cryo-EM structures of these nanobodies in complex with Env trimer revealed the two nanobodies to neutralize HIV-1 by mimicking the recognition of the CD4 receptor. To enhance their neutralizing potency and breadth, nanobodies are linked to the light chain of the V2-apex-targeting broadly neutralizing antibody, CAP256V2LS. The resultant human-llama bispecific antibody CAP256L-R27×3LS exhibited ultrapotent neutralization and breadth exceeding other published HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibodies, with pharmacokinetics determined in FcRn-Fc mice similar to the parent CAP256V2LS. Vaccine-elicited llama nanobodies, when combined with V2-apex broadly neutralizing antibodies, may therefore be able to fulfill anti-HIV-1 therapeutic and prophylactic clinical goals.

2.
Nat Commun ; 14(1): 7593, 2023 Nov 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37989731

ABSTRACT

The HIV-1 fusion peptide (FP) represents a promising vaccine target, but global FP sequence diversity among circulating strains has limited anti-FP antibodies to ~60% neutralization breadth. Here we evolve the FP-targeting antibody VRC34.01 in vitro to enhance FP-neutralization using site saturation mutagenesis and yeast display. Successive rounds of directed evolution by iterative selection of antibodies for binding to resistant HIV-1 strains establish a variant, VRC34.01_mm28, as a best-in-class antibody with 10-fold enhanced potency compared to the template antibody and ~80% breadth on a cross-clade 208-strain neutralization panel. Structural analyses demonstrate that the improved paratope expands the FP binding groove to accommodate diverse FP sequences of different lengths while also recognizing the HIV-1 Env backbone. These data reveal critical antibody features for enhanced neutralization breadth and potency against the FP site of vulnerability and accelerate clinical development of broad HIV-1 FP-targeting vaccines and therapeutics.


Subject(s)
HIV Infections , HIV-1 , Humans , HIV-1/genetics , HIV Antibodies , Antibodies, Neutralizing , Peptides , Amino Acid Sequence , Vaccines, Subunit , Neutralization Tests , env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
3.
iScience ; 26(8): 107403, 2023 Aug 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37554450

ABSTRACT

Soluble HIV-1-envelope (Env) trimers elicit immune responses that target their solvent-exposed protein bases, the result of removing these trimers from their native membrane-bound context. To assess whether glycosylation could limit these base responses, we introduced sequons encoding potential N-linked glycosylation sites (PNGSs) into base-proximal regions. Expression and antigenic analyses indicated trimers bearing six-introduced PNGSs to have reduced base recognition. Cryo-EM analysis revealed trimers with introduced PNGSs to be prone to disassembly and introduced PNGS to be disordered. Protein-base and glycan-base trimers induced reciprocally symmetric ELISA responses, in which only a small fraction of the antibody response to glycan-base trimers recognized protein-base trimers and vice versa. EM polyclonal epitope mapping revealed glycan-base trimers -even those that were stable biochemically- to elicit antibodies that recognized disassembled trimers. Introduced glycans can thus mask the protein base but their introduction may yield neo-epitopes that dominate the immune response.

4.
Cell Rep ; 42(7): 112711, 2023 07 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37436900

ABSTRACT

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) against HIV can reduce viral transmission in humans, but an effective therapeutic will require unusually high breadth and potency of neutralization. We employ the OSPREY computational protein design software to engineer variants of two apex-directed bNAbs, PGT145 and PG9RSH, resulting in increases in potency of over 100-fold against some viruses. The top designed variants improve neutralization breadth from 39% to 54% at clinically relevant concentrations (IC80 < 1 µg/mL) and improve median potency (IC80) by up to 4-fold over a cross-clade panel of 208 strains. To investigate the mechanisms of improvement, we determine cryoelectron microscopy structures of each variant in complex with the HIV envelope trimer. Surprisingly, we find the largest increases in breadth to be a result of optimizing side-chain interactions with highly variable epitope residues. These results provide insight into mechanisms of neutralization breadth and inform strategies for antibody design and improvement.


Subject(s)
HIV Infections , HIV Seropositivity , HIV-1 , Humans , HIV Antibodies , Antibodies, Neutralizing , Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies , Cryoelectron Microscopy , Neutralization Tests
5.
MAbs ; 15(1): 2223350, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37345226

ABSTRACT

The amino-acid composition of the immunoglobulin variable region has been observed to impact antibody pharmacokinetics (PK). Here, we sought to improve the PK of the broad HIV-1-neutralizing VRC01-class antibodies, VRC07-523LS and N6LS, by reducing the net positive charge in their variable domains. We used a structure-guided approach to generate a panel of antibody variants incorporating select Arg or Lys substituted to Asp, Gln, Glu, or Ser. The engineered variants exhibited reduced affinity to heparin, reduced polyreactivity, and improved PK in human FcRn-transgenic mice. One variant, VRC07-523LS.v34, with three charge substitutions, had an observed in vivo half-life and an estimated human half-life of 10.8 and 60 days, respectively (versus 5.4 and 38 days for VRC07-523LS) and retained functionality, neutralizing 92% of a 208-strain panel at a geometric mean IC80 <1 µg/mL. Another variant, N6LS.C49, with two charge substitutions, had an observed in vivo half-life and an estimated human half-life of 14.5 and 80 days (versus 9.0 and 44 days for N6LS) and neutralized ~80% of 208 strains at a geometric mean IC80 <1 µg/mL. Since Arg and Lys residues are prevalent in human antibodies, we propose substitution of select Arg or Lys with Asp, Gln, Glu, or Ser in the framework region as a general means to improve PK of therapeutic antibodies.


Subject(s)
HIV Infections , HIV-1 , Humans , Mice , Animals , HIV Antibodies , Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies , Mice, Transgenic , HIV Infections/drug therapy , Antibodies, Neutralizing
6.
Nat Commun ; 14(1): 3719, 2023 06 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37349337

ABSTRACT

Agents that can simultaneously activate latent HIV, increase immune activation and enhance the killing of latently-infected cells represent promising approaches for HIV cure. Here, we develop and evaluate a trispecific antibody (Ab), N6/αCD3-αCD28, that targets three independent proteins: (1) the HIV envelope via the broadly reactive CD4-binding site Ab, N6; (2) the T cell antigen CD3; and (3) the co-stimulatory molecule CD28. We find that the trispecific significantly increases antigen-specific T-cell activation and cytokine release in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Co-culturing CD4+ with autologous CD8+ T cells from ART-suppressed HIV+ donors with N6/αCD3-αCD28, results in activation of latently-infected cells and their elimination by activated CD8+ T cells. This trispecific antibody mediates CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell activation in non-human primates and is well tolerated in vivo. This HIV-directed antibody therefore merits further development as a potential intervention for the eradication of latent HIV infection.


Subject(s)
HIV Infections , HIV-1 , Animals , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes , Virus Latency , HIV Antibodies
7.
J Virol ; 97(5): e0160422, 2023 05 31.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37098956

ABSTRACT

While neutralizing antibodies that target the HIV-1 fusion peptide have been elicited in mice by vaccination, antibodies reported thus far have been from only a single antibody class that could neutralize ~30% of HIV-1 strains. To explore the ability of the murine immune system to generate cross-clade neutralizing antibodies and to investigate how higher breadth and potency might be achieved, we tested 17 prime-boost regimens that utilized diverse fusion peptide-carrier conjugates and HIV-1 envelope trimers with different fusion peptides. We observed priming in mice with fusion peptide-carrier conjugates of variable peptide length to elicit higher neutralizing responses, a result we confirmed in guinea pigs. From vaccinated mice, we isolated 21 antibodies, belonging to 4 distinct classes of fusion peptide-directed antibodies capable of cross-clade neutralization. Top antibodies from each class collectively neutralized over 50% of a 208-strain panel. Structural analyses - both X-ray and cryo-EM - revealed each antibody class to recognize a distinct conformation of fusion peptide and to have a binding pocket capable of accommodating diverse fusion peptides. Murine vaccinations can thus elicit diverse neutralizing antibodies, and altering peptide length during prime can improve the elicitation of cross-clade responses targeting the fusion peptide site of HIV-1 vulnerability. IMPORTANCE The HIV-1 fusion peptide has been identified as a site for elicitation of broadly neutralizing antibodies, with prior studies demonstrating that priming with fusion peptide-based immunogens and boosting with soluble envelope (Env) trimers can elicit cross-clade HIV-1-neutralizing responses. To improve the neutralizing breadth and potency of fusion peptide-directed responses, we evaluated vaccine regimens that incorporated diverse fusion peptide-conjugates and Env trimers with variation in fusion peptide length and sequence. We found that variation in peptide length during prime elicits enhanced neutralizing responses in mice and guinea pigs. We identified vaccine-elicited murine monoclonal antibodies from distinct classes capable of cross-clade neutralization and of diverse fusion peptide recognition. Our findings lend insight into improved immunogens and regimens for HIV-1 vaccine development.


Subject(s)
AIDS Vaccines , HIV Infections , HIV Seropositivity , HIV-1 , Animals , Guinea Pigs , Mice , HIV Antibodies , Immunoglobulin Isotypes , Vaccination , Peptides , Antibodies, Neutralizing , Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies , env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus , HIV Infections/prevention & control
8.
MAbs ; 15(1): 2165390, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36729903

ABSTRACT

Antibody CAP256-VRC26.25 targets the second hypervariable region (V2) at the apex of the HIV envelope (Env) trimer with extraordinary neutralization potency, although less than optimal breadth. To improve breadth, we linked the light chain of CAP256V2LS, an optimized version of CAP256-VRC26.25 currently under clinical evaluation, to the llama nanobody J3, which has broad CD4-binding site-directed neutralization. The J3-linked bispecific antibody exhibited improved breadth and potency over both J3 and CAP256V2LS, indicative of synergistic neutralization. The cryo-EM structure of the bispecific antibody in complex with a prefusion-closed Env trimer revealed simultaneous binding of J3 and CAP256V2LS. We further optimized the pharmacokinetics of the bispecific antibody by reducing the net positive charge of J3. The optimized bispecific antibody, which we named CAP256.J3LS, had a half-life similar to CAP256V2LS in human FcRn knock-in mice and exhibited suitable auto-reactivity, manufacturability, and biophysical risk. CAP256.J3LS neutralized over 97% of a multiclade 208-strain panel (geometric mean concentration for 80% inhibition (IC80) 0.079 µg/ml) and 100% of a 100-virus clade C panel (geometric mean IC80 of 0.05 µg/ml), suggesting its anti-HIV utility especially in regions where clade C dominates.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Bispecific , HIV Infections , HIV-1 , Humans , Animals , Mice , Antibodies, Neutralizing , Neutralization Tests , HIV Antibodies , Binding Sites
9.
Sci Rep ; 12(1): 17876, 2022 10 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36284200

ABSTRACT

The broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAb) CAP256-VRC26.25 has exceptional potency against HIV-1 and has been considered for clinical use. During the characterization and production of this bNAb, we observed several unusual features. First, the antibody appeared to adhere to pipette tips, requiring tips to be changed during serial dilution to accurately measure potency. Second, during production scale-up, proteolytic cleavage was discovered to target an extended heavy chain loop, which was attributed to a protease in spent medium from 2-week culture. To enable large scale production, we altered the site of cleavage via a single amino acid change, K100mA. The resultant antibody retained potency and breadth while avoiding protease cleavage. We also added the half-life extending mutation LS, which improved the in vivo persistence in animal models, but did not impact neutralization activity; we observed the same preservation of neutralization for bNAbs VRC01, N6, and PGDM1400 with LS on a 208-virus panel. The final engineered antibody, CAP256V2LS, retained the extraordinary neutralization potency of the parental antibody, had a favorable pharmacokinetic profile in animal models, and was negative in in vitro assessment of autoreactivity. CAP256V2LS has the requisite potency, developability and suitability for scale-up, allowing its advancement as a clinical candidate.


Subject(s)
HIV Infections , HIV-1 , Animals , Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies , Half-Life , Antibodies, Neutralizing , HIV Antibodies , Peptide Hydrolases , Amino Acids
10.
Cell Rep ; 38(1): 110199, 2022 01 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34986348

ABSTRACT

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) represent an alternative to drug therapy for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. Immunotherapy with single bNAbs often leads to emergence of escape variants, suggesting a potential benefit of combination bNAb therapy. Here, a trispecific bNAb reduces viremia 100- to 1000-fold in viremic SHIV-infected macaques. After treatment discontinuation, viremia rebounds transiently and returns to low levels, through CD8-mediated immune control. These viruses remain sensitive to the trispecific antibody, despite loss of sensitivity to one of the parental bNAbs. Similarly, the trispecific bNAb suppresses the emergence of resistance in viruses derived from HIV-1-infected subjects, in contrast to parental bNAbs. Trispecific HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies, therefore, mediate potent antiviral activity in vivo and may minimize the potential for immune escape.


Subject(s)
Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies/immunology , Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies/therapeutic use , HIV Antibodies/therapeutic use , Immune Evasion/immunology , Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/therapy , Simian Immunodeficiency Virus/immunology , Animals , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Cell Line, Tumor , HIV Antibodies/immunology , HIV-1/immunology , Humans , Immunotherapy/methods , Macaca mulatta , THP-1 Cells , Viremia/prevention & control , Viremia/therapy
11.
Antibodies (Basel) ; 10(2)2021 Jun 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34200826

ABSTRACT

Antibody 10E8 is capable of effectively neutralizing HIV through its recognition of the membrane-proximal external region (MPER), and a suitably optimized version of 10E8 might have utility in HIV therapy and prophylaxis. However, 10E8 displays a three-peak profile on size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), complicating its manufacture. Here we show cis-trans conformational isomerization of the Tyr-Pro-Pro (YPP) motif in the heavy chain 3rd complementarity-determining region (CDR H3) of antibody 10E8 to be the mechanistic basis of its multipeak behavior. We observed 10E8 to undergo slow conformational isomerization and delineate a mechanistic explanation for effective comodifiers that were able to resolve its SEC heterogeneity and to allow an evaluation of the critical quality attribute of aggregation. We determined crystal structures of single and double alanine mutants of a key di-proline motif and of a light chain variant, revealing alternative conformations of the CDR H3. We also replicated both multi-peak and delayed SEC behavior with MPER-antibodies 4E10 and VRC42, by introducing a Tyr-Pro (YP) motif into their CDR H3s. Our results show how a conformationally dynamic CDR H3 can provide the requisite structural plasticity needed for a highly hydrophobic paratope to recognize its membrane-proximal epitope.

12.
MAbs ; 13(1): 1946918, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34328065

ABSTRACT

Passive transfer of broadly neutralizing antibodies is showing promise in the treatment and prevention of HIV-1. One class of antibodies, the VRC01 class, appears especially promising. To improve VRC01-class antibodies, we combined structure-based design with a matrix-based approach to generate VRC01-class variants that filled an interfacial cavity, used diverse third-complementarity-determining regions, reduced potential steric clashes, or exploited extended contacts to a neighboring protomer within the envelope trimer. On a 208-strain panel, variant VRC01.23LS neutralized 90% of the panel at a geometric mean IC80 less than 1 µg/ml, and in transgenic mice with human neonatal-Fc receptor, the serum half-life of VRC01.23LS was indistinguishable from that of the parent VRC01LS, which has a half-life of 71 d in humans. A cryo-electron microscopy structure of VRC01.23 Fab in complex with BG505 DS-SOSIP.664 Env trimer determined at 3.4-Å resolution confirmed the structural basis for its ~10-fold improved potency relative to VRC01. Another variant, VRC07-523-F54-LS.v3, neutralized 95% of the 208-isolated panel at a geometric mean IC80 of less than 1 µg/ml, with a half-life comparable to that of the parental VRC07-523LS. Our matrix-based structural approach thus enables the engineering of VRC01 variants for HIV-1 therapy and prevention with improved potency, breadth, and pharmacokinetics.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal , Antibodies, Neutralizing , HIV Antibodies , HIV Infections , HIV-1/immunology , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal/genetics , Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology , Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology , Antibodies, Neutralizing/genetics , Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , Antibodies, Neutralizing/pharmacology , HIV Antibodies/genetics , HIV Antibodies/immunology , HIV Antibodies/pharmacology , HIV Infections/immunology , HIV Infections/prevention & control , Humans , Mice, Knockout
13.
MAbs ; 12(1): 1836719, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33121334

ABSTRACT

Broadly neutralizing antibodies are showing promise in the treatment and prevention of HIV-1, with several now being evaluated clinically. Some lead clinical candidates, including antibodies CAP256-VRC26.25, N6, PGT121, and VRC07-523, have one or more N-linked glycosylation sequons in their variable domains (Fvs) from somatic hypermutation, and these glycans increase chemical heterogeneity, complicating the manufacture of these antibodies as products. Here we propose a general method to remove Fv glycans and use this method to develop engineered versions of these four antibodies with Fv glycans removed. When germline residues were introduced to remove each glycan, antibody properties between wild type and mutant were not significantly altered for CAP256-VRC26.25 and PGT121; however, germline mutants for N6 and VRC07-523 showed increased polyreactivity, which is known to correlate with unfavorable in vivo pharmacokinetics. To reduce polyreactivity induced by removal of Fv glycan, we mutated aromatic residues and arginines structurally proximal to the removed glycan and identified Fv glycan-removed variants with low polyreactivity for N6 and VRC07-523. Two such variants, N6-N72LCQ-R18LCD and VRC07-523-N72LCQ-R24LCD, showed thermostability, neutralization potency and breadth, and half-life in humanized FcRn mice that were similar to their wild-type Fv-glycosylated counterparts. The removal of Fv glycan and reduction of chemical heterogeneity were confirmed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. With reduced heterogeneity, the Fv-glycan-removed variants developed here may have utility as products for treating or preventing infection by HIV-1.


Subject(s)
Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies/immunology , HIV Antibodies/immunology , HIV-1 , Immunoglobulin Variable Region/immunology , Animals , Glycosylation , HIV Antibodies/chemistry , HIV Infections/prevention & control , Humans , Immunoglobulin Variable Region/chemistry , Mice , Polysaccharides
14.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 117(31): 18754-18763, 2020 08 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32690707

ABSTRACT

Treatment of HIV infection with either antiretroviral (ARV) therapy or neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (NAbs) leads to a reduction in HIV plasma virus. Both ARVs and NAbs prevent new rounds of viral infection, but NAbs may have the additional capacity to accelerate the loss of virus-infected cells through Fc gamma receptor (FcγR)-mediated effector functions, which should affect the kinetics of plasma-virus decline. Here, we formally test the role of effector function in vivo by comparing the rate and timing of plasma-virus clearance in response to a single-dose treatment with either unmodified NAb or those with either reduced or augmented Fc function. When infused into viremic simian HIV (SHIV)-infected rhesus macaques, there was a 21% difference in slope of plasma-virus decline between NAb and NAb with reduced Fc function. NAb engineered to increase FcγRIII binding and improve antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) in vitro resulted in arming of effector cells in vivo, yet led to viral-decay kinetics similar to NAbs with reduced Fc function. These studies show that the predominant mechanism of antiviral activity of HIV NAbs is through inhibition of viral entry, but that Fc function can contribute to the overall antiviral activity, making them distinct from standard ARVs.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , HIV Antibodies/immunology , HIV Infections , HIV-1/immunology , Receptors, IgG/immunology , Animals , Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity/immunology , Cells, Cultured , Disease Models, Animal , HIV Infections/immunology , HIV Infections/virology , Humans , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/immunology , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/virology , Macaca mulatta , Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome , Simian Immunodeficiency Virus
15.
Cell Rep ; 31(1): 107488, 2020 04 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32268107

ABSTRACT

Antibodies targeting the V1V2 apex of the HIV-1 envelope (Env) trimer comprise one of the most commonly elicited categories of broadly neutralizing antibodies. Structures of these antibodies indicate diverse modes of Env recognition typified by antibodies of the PG9 class and the PGT145 class. The mode of recognition, however, has been unclear for the most potent of the V1V2 apex-targeting antibodies, CAP256-VRC26.25 (named for donor-lineage.clone and referred to hereafter as VRC26.25). Here, we determine the cryoelectron microscopy structure at 3.7 Å resolution of the antigen-binding fragment of VRC26.25 in complex with the Env trimer thought to have initiated the lineage. The 36-residue protruding loop of VRC26.25 displays recognition incorporating both strand-C interactions similar to the PG9 class and V1V2 apex insertion similar to the PGT145 class. Structural elements of separate antibody classes can thus intermingle to form a "combined" class, which in this case yields an antibody of extraordinary potency.


Subject(s)
HIV Antibodies/immunology , HIV Antibodies/ultrastructure , env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/immunology , Amino Acid Sequence , Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , Cell Line , Cryoelectron Microscopy/methods , HIV Antibodies/metabolism , HIV Envelope Protein gp120/immunology , HIV Infections/immunology , HIV-1/immunology , Humans , Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments/metabolism , Protein Binding , Protein Multimerization
16.
Sci Rep ; 10(1): 3032, 2020 02 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32080235

ABSTRACT

The vaccine elicitation of broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1 is a long-sought goal. We previously reported the amino-terminal eight residues of the HIV-1-fusion peptide (FP8) - when conjugated to the carrier protein, keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) - to be capable of inducing broadly neutralizing responses against HIV-1 in animal models. However, KLH is a multi-subunit particle derived from a natural source, and its manufacture as a clinical product remains a challenge. Here we report the preclinical development of recombinant tetanus toxoid heavy chain fragment (rTTHC) linked to FP8 (FP8-rTTHC) as a suitable FP-conjugate vaccine immunogen. We assessed 16 conjugates, made by coupling the 4 most prevalent FP8 sequences with 4 carrier proteins: the aforementioned KLH and rTTHC; the H. influenzae protein D (HiD); and the cross-reactive material from diphtheria toxin (CRM197). While each of the 16 FP8-carrier conjugates could elicit HIV-1-neutralizing responses, rTTHC conjugates induced higher FP-directed responses overall. A Sulfo-SIAB linker yielded superior results over an SM(PEG)2 linker but combinations of carriers, conjugation ratio of peptide to carrier, or choice of adjuvant (Adjuplex or Alum) did not significantly impact elicited FP-directed neutralizing responses in mice. Overall, SIAB-linked FP8-rTTHC appears to be a promising vaccine candidate for advancing to clinical assessment.


Subject(s)
AIDS Vaccines/immunology , HIV-1/immunology , Peptides/immunology , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/immunology , Adjuvants, Immunologic , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Cross Reactions/immunology , Female , Immunization , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Neutralization Tests , Peptides/chemistry
17.
Immunity ; 51(5): 915-929.e7, 2019 11 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31732167

ABSTRACT

The elicitation of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) against the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimer remains a major vaccine challenge. Most cross-conserved protein determinants are occluded by self-N-glycan shielding, limiting B cell recognition of the underlying polypeptide surface. The exceptions to the contiguous glycan shield include the conserved receptor CD4 binding site (CD4bs) and glycoprotein (gp)41 elements proximal to the furin cleavage site. Accordingly, we performed heterologous trimer-liposome prime:boosting in rabbits to drive B cells specific for cross-conserved sites. To preferentially expose the CD4bs to B cells, we eliminated proximal N-glycans while maintaining the native-like state of the cleavage-independent NFL trimers, followed by gradual N-glycan restoration coupled with heterologous boosting. This approach successfully elicited CD4bs-directed, cross-neutralizing Abs, including one targeting a unique glycan-protein epitope and a bNAb (87% breadth) directed to the gp120:gp41 interface, both resolved by high-resolution cryoelectron microscopy. This study provides proof-of-principle immunogenicity toward eliciting bNAbs by vaccination.


Subject(s)
AIDS Vaccines/immunology , Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , HIV Antibodies/immunology , HIV Infections/immunology , HIV-1/immunology , Liposomes , env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/immunology , Animals , B-Lymphocytes/immunology , B-Lymphocytes/metabolism , CD4 Antigens/chemistry , CD4 Antigens/immunology , CD4 Antigens/metabolism , Complement C3/immunology , Complement C3/metabolism , Cross-Priming/immunology , Epitopes/immunology , Glycosylation , HIV Infections/virology , Humans , Immunoglobulin G/immunology , Models, Molecular , Neutralization Tests , Polysaccharides/immunology , Polysaccharides/metabolism , Protein Binding , Protein Conformation , Rabbits , env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/administration & dosage , env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/chemistry , env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/metabolism
18.
Immunity ; 50(3): 677-691.e13, 2019 03 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30876875

ABSTRACT

Lineage-based vaccine design is an attractive approach for eliciting broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) against HIV-1. However, most bNAb lineages studied to date have features indicative of unusual recombination and/or development. From an individual in the prospective RV217 cohort, we identified three lineages of bNAbs targeting the membrane-proximal external region (MPER) of the HIV-1 envelope. Antibodies RV217-VRC42.01, -VRC43.01, and -VRC46.01 used distinct modes of recognition and neutralized 96%, 62%, and 30%, respectively, of a 208-strain virus panel. All three lineages had modest levels of somatic hypermutation and normal antibody-loop lengths and were initiated by the founder virus MPER. The broadest lineage, VRC42, was similar to the known bNAb 4E10. A multimeric immunogen based on the founder MPER activated B cells bearing the unmutated common ancestor of VRC42, with modest maturation of early VRC42 intermediates imparting neutralization breadth. These features suggest that VRC42 may be a promising template for lineage-based vaccine design.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , HIV Antibodies/immunology , HIV-1/immunology , AIDS Vaccines/immunology , Amino Acid Sequence , B-Lymphocytes/immunology , Cell Line , HEK293 Cells , HIV Infections/immunology , Humans , Leukocytes, Mononuclear , Longitudinal Studies
19.
Nat Commun ; 10(1): 47, 2019 01 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30604750

ABSTRACT

Diverse entry inhibitors targeting the gp120 subunit of the HIV-1 envelope (Env) trimer have been developed including BMS-626529, also called temsavir, a prodrug version of which is currently in phase III clinical trials. Here we report the characterization of a panel of small-molecule inhibitors including BMS-818251, which we show to be >10-fold more potent than temsavir on a cross-clade panel of 208-HIV-1 strains, as well as the engineering of a crystal lattice to enable structure determination of the interaction between these inhibitors and the HIV-1 Env trimer at higher resolution. By altering crystallization lattice chaperones, we identify a lattice with both improved diffraction and robust co-crystallization of HIV-1 Env trimers from different clades complexed to entry inhibitors with a range of binding affinities. The improved diffraction reveals BMS-818251 to utilize functional groups that interact with gp120 residues from the conserved ß20-ß21 hairpin to improve potency.


Subject(s)
Chemical Engineering/methods , HIV Envelope Protein gp120/antagonists & inhibitors , HIV Fusion Inhibitors/pharmacology , HIV-1/drug effects , Virus Internalization/drug effects , Crystallography, X-Ray , Drug Design , HIV Envelope Protein gp120/metabolism , HIV Fusion Inhibitors/chemistry , HIV-1/physiology , HeLa Cells , Humans , Molecular Docking Simulation , Nanoparticles/chemistry , Piperazines/chemistry , Piperazines/pharmacology , Protein Binding , Protein Conformation , Protein Multimerization , Triazoles/chemistry , Triazoles/pharmacology
20.
Structure ; 27(1): 196-206.e6, 2019 01 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30471922

ABSTRACT

Over the past decade, structures have been determined for broadly neutralizing antibodies that recognize all major exposed surfaces of the prefusion-closed HIV-1-envelope (Env) trimer. To understand this recognition and its implications, we analyzed 206 antibody-HIV-1 Env structures from the Protein Data Bank with resolution suitable to define interaction chemistries and measured antibody neutralization on a 208-strain panel. Those with >25% breadth segregated into almost two dozen classes based on ontogeny and recognition and into six epitope categories based on recognized Env residues. For paratope, the number of protruding loops and level of somatic hypermutation were significantly higher for broad HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies than for a comparison set of non-HIV-1 antibodies (p < 0.0001). For epitope, the number of independent sequence segments was higher (p < 0.0001), as well as the glycan component surface area (p = 0.0005). The unusual characteristics of epitope and paratope delineated here are likely to reflect respectively virus-immune evasion and antibody-recognition solutions that allow effective neutralization of HIV-1.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Neutralizing/chemistry , Antibodies, Viral/chemistry , env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/immunology , Antibodies, Neutralizing/classification , Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , Antibodies, Viral/classification , Antibodies, Viral/immunology , Epitopes/chemistry , Epitopes/immunology , Protein Multimerization , env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/chemistry
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