AAV-delivered eCD4-Ig protects rhesus macaques from high-dose SIVmac239 challenges.

A number of simian and simian human immunodeficiency viruses (SIV and SHIV, respectively) have been used to assess the efficacy of HIV-1 vaccine strategies. Among these, SIVmac239 is considered among the most stringent because, unlike SHIV models, its full genome has coevolved in its macaque host and its tier 3 envelope glycoprotein (Env) is exceptionally hard to neutralize. Here, we investigated the ability of eCD4-Ig, an antibody-like entry inhibitor that emulates the HIV-1 and SIV receptor and coreceptor, to prevent SIVmac239 infection.

eCD4-Ig Limits HIV-1 Escape More Effectively than CD4-Ig or a Broadly Neutralizing Antibody.

The engineered antibody-like entry inhibitor eCD4-Ig neutralizes every human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), HIV-2, and simian immunodeficiency virus isolate it has been tested against. The exceptional breadth of eCD4-Ig derives from its ability to closely and simultaneously emulate the HIV-1 receptor CD4 and coreceptors, either CCR5 or CXCR4. Here we investigated whether viral escape from eCD4-Ig is more difficult than that from CD4-Ig or the CD4-binding site antibody NIH45-46.

Simian Immunodeficiency Virus SIVmac239, but Not SIVmac316, Binds and Utilizes Human CD4 More Efficiently than Rhesus CD4.

Rhesus macaques are used to model human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infections, but they are not natural hosts of HIV-1 or any simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). Rather, they became infected with SIV through cross-species transfer from sooty mangabeys in captivity. It has been shown that HIV-1 utilizes rhesus CD4 less efficiently than human CD4.

CD4-Induced Antibodies Promote Association of the HIV-1 Envelope Glycoprotein with CD4-Binding Site Antibodies.

Unlabelled: The HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) is a trimer of gp120/gp41 heterodimers that mediates viral entry. Env binds cellular CD4, an association which stabilizes a conformation favorable to its subsequent association with a coreceptor, typically CCR5 or CXCR4. The CD4- and coreceptor-binding sites serve as epitopes for two classes of HIV-1-neutralizing antibodies: CD4-binding site (CD4bs) and CD4-induced (CD4i) antibodies, respectively.

AAV-expressed eCD4-Ig provides durable protection from multiple SHIV challenges.

Long-term in vivo expression of a broad and potent entry inhibitor could circumvent the need for a conventional vaccine for HIV-1. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors can stably express HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). However, even the best bNAbs neutralize 10-50% of HIV-1 isolates inefficiently (80% inhibitory concentration (IC80) > 5 μg ml(-1)), suggesting that high concentrations of these antibodies would be necessary to achieve general protection.