Fusion of Complement Fragment C3d Enhances Germinal Center Responses to HIV-1 Envelope Glycoproteins.

ABSTRACT: Eliciting sustained germinal center (GC) responses is critical for the development of an effective HIV-1 vaccine, yet HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) immunogens often fail to elicit GC responses required for the maturation of cognate B cells that secrete broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). Effective antigen recognition is important for initial B cell priming, activation, and GC engagement. Since complement opsonization contributes to antigen recognition, we investigated whether C3d fusion could enhance the GC response of the stabilized HIV-1 Env immunogen based on a consensus sequence (ConM Env). Our results demonstrate that ConM Env-C3d induced potent HIV-specific B cell activation in vitro compared to ConM Env alone. We also observed that the C3d fusion enhanced antigen presentati

SUBMITTER: de Gast M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12236797 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature