Targeting antibody responses to the membrane proximal external region of the envelope glycoprotein of human immunodeficiency virus.

ABSTRACT: Although human immunodeficiency type 1 (HIV-1) infection induces strong antibody responses to the viral envelope glycoprotein (Env) only a few of these antibodies possess the capacity to neutralize a broad range of strains. The induction of such antibodies represents an important goal in the development of a preventive vaccine against the infection. Among the broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies discovered so far, three (2F5, Z13 and 4E10) target the short and hidden membrane proximal external region (MPER) of the gp41 transmembrane protein. Antibody responses to MPER are rarely observed in HIV-infected individuals or after immunization with Env immunogens. To initiate antibody responses to MPER in its membrane-embedded native conformation, we generated expression plasmids encoding t

SUBMITTER: Kamdem Toukam D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3364164 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature