Identification and characterization of broadly neutralizing epitopes on the HIV-1 envelope are important steps in the design of an effective HIV-1 vaccine. Recently, a new class of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs), including PG9, PG16, and the PGT class antibodies, has been isolated from HIV-infected """"""""elite controllers"""""""". These bNAbs neutralize primary HIV-1 strains with remarkable breadth and potency. A common feature of antigen recognition by these bNAbs is that they all target glycan-dependent quaternary epitopes at the V1/V2 and/or V3 regions of gp120. Recent X-ray crystal structural studies indicate that PG9 binds to N-glycans at N160 and N156 in the context of V1/V2 domain, and PGT128 recognizes conserved N-glycans at N322 and N301 sites in the context of V3 domain. However, the precise nature of the neutralizing epitopes, particularly the fine structures of the N-glycans at N156 and N301 remains to be characterized. Further mapping of the epitopes is complicated by the complexity and heterogeneity of glycosylation of HIV-1 gp120. We hypothesize that unique V1/V2 and V3 glycopeptides constitute the neutralizing epitopes for these bNAbs. To test this hypothesis, we will perform experiments described in two specific aims.
Aim 1 is to design and synthesize cyclic V1/V2 and V3 HIV-1 glycopeptides with defined N-glycans being attached at the conserved N- glycosylation sites, by a novel chemoenzymatic method.
Aim 2 is to characterize antigen recognition by the neutralizing antibodies through binding and structural studies with the synthetic glycopeptides. In addition, the synthetic glycopeptides will be used to detect glycan- dependent, V1/V2 and V3-specific neutralizing antibodies in sera from HIV-infected """"""""non- progressors"""""""". These studies are likely to provide important insights for HIV-1 vaccine design.

Public Health Relevance

HIV/AIDS is a serious global epidemic that threatens human health and social stability. The proposed research aims to characterize the neutralizing epitopes of broadly neutralizing antibodies, which will provide important insights in HIV-1 vaccine design.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21AI101035-02
Application #
8505372
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-AARR-E (02))
Program Officer
Li, Yen
Project Start
2012-07-05
Project End
2014-06-30
Budget Start
2013-07-01
Budget End
2014-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$180,363
Indirect Cost
$62,863
Name
University of Maryland Baltimore
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
188435911
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21201
Toonstra, Christian; Amin, Mohammed N; Wang, Lai-Xi (2016) Site-Selective Chemoenzymatic Glycosylation of an HIV-1 Polypeptide Antigen with Two Distinct N-Glycans via an Orthogonal Protecting Group Strategy. J Org Chem 81:6176-85
Amin, Mohammed N; McLellan, Jason S; Huang, Wei et al. (2013) Synthetic glycopeptides reveal the glycan specificity of HIV-neutralizing antibodies. Nat Chem Biol 9:521-6
Wang, Lai-Xi (2013) Synthetic carbohydrate antigens for HIV vaccine design. Curr Opin Chem Biol 17:997-1005
Pancera, Marie; Shahzad-Ul-Hussan, Syed; Doria-Rose, Nicole A et al. (2013) Structural basis for diverse N-glycan recognition by HIV-1-neutralizing V1-V2-directed antibody PG16. Nat Struct Mol Biol 20:804-13