Rationally Designed Immunogens Targeting HIV-1 gp120 V1V2 Induce Distinct Conformation-Specific Antibody Responses in Rabbits.

ABSTRACT: The V1V2 region of HIV-1 gp120 harbors a major vulnerable site targeted by a group of broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) such as PG9 through strand-strand recognition. However, this epitope region is structurally polymorphic as it can also form a helical conformation recognized by RV144 vaccine-induced MAb CH58. This structural polymorphism is a potential mechanism for masking the V1V2 vulnerable site. Designing immunogens that can induce conformation-specific antibody (Ab) responses may lead to vaccines targeting this vulnerable site. We designed a panel of immunogens engrafting the V1V2 domain into trimeric and pentameric scaffolds in structurally constrained conformations. We also fused V1V2 to an Fc fragment to mimic the unconstrained V1V2 conformation. We tested these V

SUBMITTER: Jiang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5126360 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature