Native ‐like Env trimers as a platform for HIV‐1 vaccine design

We describe the development and potential use of various designs of recombinant HIV‐1 envelope glycoprotein trimers that mimic the structure of the virion‐associated spike, which is the target for neutralizing antibodies. The goal of trimer development programs is to induce broadly neutralizing antibodies with the potential to intervene against multiple circulating HIV‐1 strains. Among the topics we address are the designs of various constructs; how native‐like trimers can be produced and purified; the properties of such trimers in vitro and their immunogenicity in various animals; and the immunization strategies that may lead to the eventual elicitation of broadly neutralizing antibodies. In summary, native‐like trimers are a now a platform for structure‐ and immunology‐based design improvements that could eventually yield immunogens of practical value for solving the long‐standing HIV‐1 vaccine problem.
Source: Immunological Reviews - Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Tags: INVITED REVIEW Source Type: research