The overall goal of our grant proposal is to evaluate the possibility that natural HIV viral env sequences that emerge during the course of HIV infection, can be used as immunogens to elicit broadly-reactive anti-HIV neutralizing antibodies. These env sequences will be derived from HIV infected subjects which during a very short period of time (2-3 years) developed broad and potent anti-HIV cross-neutralizing antibody responses. In Project 1, we will monitor HIV infected subjects to identify those that develop broad cross-neutralizing antibody responses shortly following infection and we will characterize in detail these responses. We will amplify viral env from longitudinal samples from these patients and in conjunction with Project 2 we will examine what role the CD4+ T cell helper responses have in the development and maintenance of broad anti-HIV neutralizing antibody responses. The Envs identified in this Project 1 will be used as immunogens in Project 3 to test the hypothesis that they can elicit broad cross-neutralizing antibody responses in animals.
Our proposed studies will explore a novel concept in the development of an immunization protocol that will lead to the elicitation of broad cross-neutralizing antibodies against HIV. As such, the proposed studies are highly relevant to the development of an effective anti-HIV vaccine.
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