Publications by authors named "Jesse Schoen"
The magnitude of the HIV-1 epidemic in Nigeria is second only to the subtype C epidemic in South Africa, yet the subtypes prevalent in Nigeria require further characterization. A panel of 50 subtype G and 18 CRF02_AG Nigerian HIV-1 pseudoviruses (PSV) was developed and envelope coreceptor usage, neutralization sensitivity and cross-clade reactivity were characterized. These PSV were neutralized by some antibodies targeting major neutralizing determinants, but potentially important differences were observed in specific sensitivities (eg.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe membrane proximal external region (MPER) of HIV-1 gp41 is targeted by several neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) and is of interest for vaccine design. In this study, we identified novel MPER peptide mimotopes and evaluated their reactivity with HIV + plasma antibodies to characterize the diversity of the immune responses to MPER during natural infection. We utilized phage display technology to generate novel mimotopes that fit antigen-binding sites of MPER NAbs 4E10, 2F5 and Z13.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Despite the availability of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) for HIV+ pregnant mothers, over 43,000 babies still get infected each year, making it crucial to study the factors that contribute to mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV.
- A study in Thailand found that HIV-negative infants had significantly higher levels of Env V3-specific IgG and neutralizing antibodies in their plasma compared to HIV-positive infants, indicating a protective role for these antibodies against transmission.
- However, higher levels of these same antibodies in mothers were associated with an increased risk of MTCT, suggesting a complex relationship between maternal and infant immune responses in understanding HIV transmission dynamics.