Neutralizing antibodies that recognize HIV-1 envelope protein, lipids produced

Washington, September 2 (ANI): The U.S. Military has announced that its researchers have for the first time experimentally induced antibodies that neutralize HIV-1, and simultaneously recognize both HIV-1 envelope protein and lipids.

Dr. Gary Matyas and Dr. Carl Alving, U.S. Military HIV Research Program (MHRP) researchers, have revealed that they conducted the exploratory study using small synthetic HIV-1 peptides encapsulated in liposomes containing lipid A as an adjuvant.

The researchers have revealed that the monoclonal antibodies they produced after immunizing mice have binding characteristics that look similar to two well-known broadly neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies, known as 2F5 and 4E10, which also bind to HIV-1 protein and lipid.

They have also revealed that their study employed widely used, clinically acceptable, well-tolerated and relatively inexpensive generic antigen-adjuvant constituents that potentially could be used as part of a human formulation.

Dr. Carl Alving, Chief of the Department of Adjuvant and Antigen Research, said: "Some of the strongest naturally occurring antibodies that broadly neutralize HIV have the unique characteristics of recognizing both HIV protein and lipid. It has been believed that it might be difficult to induce such antibodies experimentally, and historically, this has been considered a potential roadblock to creation of an effective HIV vaccine. This study demonstrates that such antibodies might be induced with immuno-stimulating liposomes."

A research article describing the study has been published in the online version of the journal AIDS. (ANI)