CD4-mimetics sensitize HIV-infected cells to ADCC mediated by plasma from persons with early-stage HIV-1 infection.

ABSTRACT: The viral reservoir in long-lived memory CD4+ cells, established in the early stages of HIV infection, represents the main obstacle to an HIV cure. Some strategies being developed to target the reservoir rely on rendering HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins (Env) visible to the immune system. Small molecule CD4-mimetics (CD4mcs) expose vulnerable Env epitopes, which can be targeted by non-neutralizing antibodies (nnAbs) that are abundant in the plasma of people living with HIV (PLWH) and can mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Administration of CD4mcs in combination with plasma from PLWH or nnAbs efficiently reduces the size of the HIV-1 reservoir and postpones viral rebound upon antiretroviral therapy (ART) interruption in humanized mice. However, it remains unclear when the

SUBMITTER: Ding S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12363219 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature