An effective human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) vaccine will most likely have to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) to overcome the sequence diversity of the envelope glycoprotein (Env). So far, stabilized versions of Env, such as SOSIP trimers, have been able to induce neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses, but those responses are mainly strain-specific. Here we attempted to broaden NAb responses by using a multivalent vaccine and applying a number of design improvements.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVarious design platforms are available to stabilize soluble HIV-1 envelope (Env) trimers, which can be used as antigenic baits and vaccine antigens. However, stabilizing HIV-1 clade C trimers can be challenging. Here, we stabilized an HIV-1 clade C trimer based on an Env isolated from a pediatric elite-neutralizer (AIIMS_329) using multiple platforms, including SOSIP.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEliciting potent and broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) is a major goal in HIV-1 vaccine development. Here, we describe how germline-targeting immunogen BG505 SOSIP germline trimer 1.1 (GT1.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFZoonotic events by sarbecoviruses have sparked an epidemic (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus [SARS-CoV]) and a pandemic (SARS-CoV-2) in the past two decades. The continued risk of spillovers from animals to humans is an ongoing threat to global health and a pan-sarbecovirus vaccine would be an important contribution to pandemic preparedness. Here, we describe multivalent virosome-based vaccines that present stabilized spike proteins from four sarbecovirus strains, one from each clade.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has remained a medical threat due to the evolution of multiple variants that acquire resistance to vaccines and prior infection. Therefore, it is imperative to discover monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that neutralize a broad range of SARS-CoV-2 variants. A stabilized spike glycoprotein was used to enrich antigen-specific B cells from an individual with a primary Gamma variant infection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTargeting germline (gl-) precursors of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) is acknowledged as an important strategy for HIV-1 vaccines. The VRC01-class of bNAbs is attractive because of its distinct genetic signature. However, VRC01-class bNAbs often require extensive somatic hypermutation, including rare insertions and deletions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Lassa virus is endemic in parts of West Africa, and it causes hemorrhagic fever with high mortality. The development of a recombinant protein vaccine has been hampered by the instability of soluble Lassa virus glycoprotein complex (GPC) trimers, which disassemble into monomeric subunits after expression. Here, we use two-component protein nanoparticles consisting of trimeric and pentameric subunits to stabilize GPC in a trimeric conformation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe worldwide pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has remained a human medical threat due to the continued evolution of multiple variants that acquire resistance to vaccines and prior infection. Therefore, it is imperative to discover monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that neutralize a broad range of SARS-CoV-2 variants for therapeutic and prophylactic use. A stabilized autologous SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein was used to enrich antigen-specific B cells from an individual with a primary Gamma variant infection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDelineating the origins and properties of antibodies elicited by SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination is critical for understanding their benefits and potential shortcomings. Therefore, we investigate the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S)-reactive B cell repertoire in unexposed individuals by flow cytometry and single-cell sequencing. We show that ∼82% of SARS-CoV-2 S-reactive B cells harbor a naive phenotype, which represents an unusually high fraction of total human naive B cells (∼0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies are secreted into human milk of infected or vaccinated lactating women and might provide protection to the breastfed infant against COVID-19. Differences in antibody response after these types of exposure are unknown. In this longitudinal cohort study, we compared the antibody response in human milk following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination or infection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEffective treatments against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are urgently needed. Monoclonal antibodies have shown promising results in patients. Here, we evaluate the in vivo prophylactic and therapeutic effect of COVA1-18, a neutralizing antibody highly potent against the B.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein trimer is poorly immunogenic because it is covered by a dense glycan shield. As a result, recombinant Env glycoproteins generally elicit inadequate antibody levels that neutralize clinically relevant, neutralization-resistant (Tier-2) HIV-1 strains. Multivalent antigen presentation on nanoparticles is an established strategy to increase vaccine-driven immune responses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has had a large impact on global health, travel, and economy. Therefore, preventative and therapeutic measures are urgently needed. Here, we isolated monoclonal antibodies from three convalescent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients using a SARS-CoV-2 stabilized prefusion spike protein.
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