A potential approach to creating an effective HIV vaccine

Researchers at Duke University, working under the leadership of Dr. Barton F. Haynes, for the first time described the joint evolution of antibodies and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the body of a patient whose immune system has developed an active fight against the pathogen. They hope that the observations made will allow the development of a vaccine that provides effective protection against HIV.

The mechanism of action of most vaccines is to stimulate the production of pathogen-specific antibodies. Unfortunately, HIV has proved to be a difficult target for such vaccines, since the spectrum of action of antibodies synthesized in response to vaccination is limited, while the virus itself changes very quickly and inevitably wins in the "arms race" directed against it.

The object of the study conducted by the authors was a resident of Africa, whose infection was detected at an early stage, when the virus had not yet mutated in order to avoid the effects of the immune system. Moreover, this patient belongs to the lucky 20% whose immune system produces broad-spectrum anti-HIV antibodies (broadly neutralizing antibodies).

Such antibodies affect the vulnerable components of the viral particle, which remain unchanged despite mutations. Early detection of infection allowed scientists to identify the glycoprotein of the surface of the viral particle, which triggers the synthesis of broad-spectrum antibodies.

The next step that the authors intend to take will be to use the information obtained to synthesize the shells of viral particles and test them as an experimental vaccine.

Article by Hua-Xin Liao et al. Co-evolution of a broadly neutralizing HIV-1 antibody and founder virus is published in the journal Nature.

Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of Duke University:
Researchers Find Potential Map to More Effective HIV Vaccine.

09.04.2013