B Cell Recognition of the Conserved HIV-1 Co-Receptor Binding Site Is Altered by Endogenous Primate CD4 HIV Co-Receptor Binding Site Immunogenicity
2008

How HIV-1 Co-Receptor Binding Site Antibodies Are Made

Sample size: 10 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Forsell Mattias N. E., Dey Barna, Mörner Andreas, Svehla Krisha, O'dell Sijy, Högerkorp Carl-Magnus, Voss Gerald, Thorstensson Rigmor, Shaw George M., Mascola John R., Karlsson Hedestam Gunilla B., Wyatt Richard T.

Primary Institution: Vaccine Research Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America

Hypothesis

The presence of primate CD4 is required for the elicitation of co-receptor site antibodies by HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein trimers.

Conclusion

The study shows that the presence of primate CD4 is necessary for the elicitation of antibodies targeting the HIV-1 co-receptor binding site.

Supporting Evidence

  • Antibodies against the co-receptor binding site are generated during natural HIV infection.
  • Immunization with Env trimers in primates leads to the production of CD4i antibodies.
  • CD4i antibodies were detected in sera from monkeys but not in wild-type rabbits.

Takeaway

This study found that to make certain antibodies against HIV, the body needs a special helper called CD4. Without it, the antibodies can't be made.

Methodology

The study involved immunizing rabbits, monkeys, and human-CD4 transgenic rabbits with envelope glycoprotein trimers and analyzing the resulting antibody responses.

Limitations

The study primarily focused on specific animal models and may not fully represent human responses.

Participant Demographics

The study included cynomolgus macaques and rabbits, including transgenic rabbits expressing human CD4.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.ppat.1000171

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