Another innovative strategy involves selectively activating rare B cells and guiding their maturation, as demonstrated in recent studies conducted in mice and monkeys.
Dr. Barton Haynes led the study using a novel approach involving exposure to a series of different vaccine molecules.
Scientists have reported success in an HIV vaccine trial that triggered the production of rare and elusive antibodies in human patients for the first time.
In recent years, there has been a surge in HIV vaccine research as the world continues to combat the AIDS pandemic and new HIV infections. While antiviral treatment has proven effective in halting disease progression for many individuals, an estimated 1.5 million new cases occurred globally in 2021 alone.
One of the primary challenges in developing an effective HIV vaccine is eliciting a strong immune response capable of neutralizing diverse tier-2 neutralization-resistant viruses. Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs), such as VRC01, have been a major focus for researchers as they can protect against various HIV strains. However, the HIV envelope's ability to evade the immune system and its rapid mutation rate make it difficult for the body to produce effective antibodies.
In a groundbreaking development, scientists have reported success in an HIV vaccine trial that triggered the production of rare and elusive antibodies in human patients for the first time. The study, led by Dr. Barton Haynes of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute, utilized a novel approach involving exposure to a series of different vaccine molecules to teach the immune system to produce powerful and protective antibody responses.
Another innovative strategy involves selectively activating rare B cells and guiding their maturation, as demonstrated in recent studies conducted in mice and monkeys. Researchers from the Scripps Research Institute have shown that this method could lead to the production of antibodies capable of blocking a broad range of viral strains.
While these advancements offer hope for an eventual HIV vaccine, researchers emphasize that there is still a long way to go. The failure of previous approaches and the complexity of the HIV virus make it crucial for scientists to continue exploring new strategies and building on recent successes in order to develop a safe and effective vaccine that can help end the HIV epidemic.
Researchers are developing a new approach that teaches the immune system to produce powerful and protective antibody responses through exposure to a series of different vaccine molecules.
Studies conducted in mice and monkeys showed researchers could begin shepherding immune cells toward producing antibodies that block a broad swath of viral strains, an important first step.
One recent study showed it was possible to selectively activate rare B cells and begin to guide their maturation in all eight rhesus macaques examined.
Accuracy
HIV has long stumped immunologists looking to develop an effective vaccine.
The last trial expected to potentially deliver a vaccine within this decade was halted.
About 20% of patients produce so-called broadly neutralizing antibodies, which latch onto a wide range of strains and prevent the virus from slipping inside human cells.
A vaccine that elicits broadly neutralizing antibodies before infection could be transformative; despite advances in HIV treatment, more than 600,000 people died of AIDS last year.
Two other studies tested guiding B cells toward producing antibodies that latch onto a part of HIV known as the CD4 binding site, a region with minimal differences between strains because it's essential for infection.
A Phase 1 trial found that 35 of 36 study participants produced an initial immune response to a candidate vaccine targeted toward B cells with the potential to produce broad responses.
A follow-up trial is underway at the HIV Vaccine Trials Network to see if researchers can push B cells further toward making broadly neutralizing antibodies, with results planned to be available next year.
An estimated 1.5 million new HIV infections occurred in 2021 worldwide.
Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) capable of neutralizing diverse tier-2 neutralization-resistant viruses have been a major focus of HIV-1 vaccine research.
VRC01, as one well-studied bnAb, was able to protect certain individuals from infection by HIV-1 viruses.
The HIV-1 envelope spike on the surface of virions comprises trimers of heterodimers formed by the two Env subunits gp120 and gp41.
gp120 binds to the CD4 receptor and co-receptors CCR5 or CXCR4 on host cells to initiate HIV-1 infection.
Conformational changes induced by Env interaction with receptors trigger membrane fusion between the virus and host cell.
Scientists have developed an HIV vaccine that triggered the production of rare and elusive antibodies in human patients for the first time.
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Accuracy
The goal of HIV vaccine development is to trigger the production of broadly neutralizing antibodies that can protect against a wide variety of strains.
The end-goal antibodies have been achieved in people for the first time in this study.
About 20% of patients produce so-called broadly neutralizing antibodies, which latch onto a wide range of strains and prevent the virus from slipping inside human cells.
