Design and Functional Characterization of HIV-1 Envelope Protein-Coupled T Helper Liposomes.

ABSTRACT: Functionalization of experimental HIV-1 virus-like particle vaccines with heterologous T helper epitopes (T helper VLPs) can modulate the humoral immune response via intrastructural help (ISH). Current advances in the conjugation of native-like HIV-1 envelope trimers (Env) onto liposomes and encapsulation of peptide epitopes into these nanoparticles renders this GMP-scalable liposomal platform a feasible alternative to VLP-based vaccines. In this study, we designed and analyzed customizable Env-conjugated T helper liposomes. First, we passively encapsulated T helper peptides into a well-characterized liposome formulation displaying a dense array of Env trimers on the surface. We confirmed the closed pre-fusion state of the coupled Env trimers by immunogold staining with conformation-specif

SUBMITTER: Damm D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9318220 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature