Enhancing exposure of HIV-1 neutralization epitopes through mutations in gp41.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The generation of broadly neutralizing antibodies is a priority in the design of vaccines against HIV-1. Unfortunately, most antibodies to HIV-1 are narrow in their specificity, and a basic understanding of how to develop antibodies with broad neutralizing activity is needed. Designing methods to target antibodies to conserved HIV-1 epitopes may allow for the generation of broadly neutralizing antibodies and aid the global fight against AIDS by providing new approaches to block HIV-1 infection. Using a naturally occurring HIV-1 Envelope (Env) variant as a template, we sought to identify features of Env that would enhance exposure of conserved HIV-1 epitopes.

Methods and findings

Within a cohort study of high-risk women in Mombasa, Kenya, we previously identified a

SUBMITTER: Blish CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2174964 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature