Broadly Neutralizing Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Antibody Gene Transfer Protects Nonhuman Primates from Mucosal Simian-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

J Virol. 2015 Aug;89(16):8334-45. doi: 10.1128/JVI.00908-15.

Abstract

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) can prevent lentiviral infection in nonhuman primates and may slow the spread of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Although protection by passive transfer of human bnAbs has been demonstrated in monkeys, durable expression is essential for its broader use in humans. Gene-based expression of bnAbs provides a potential solution to this problem, although immune responses to the viral vector or to the antibody may limit its durability and efficacy. Here, we delivered an adeno-associated viral vector encoding a simianized form of a CD4bs bnAb, VRC07, and evaluated its immunogenicity and protective efficacy. The expressed antibody circulated in macaques for 16 weeks at levels up to 66 g/ml, although immune suppression with cyclosporine (CsA) was needed to sustain expression. Gene-delivered simian VRC07 protected against simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) infection in monkeys 5.5 weeks after treatment. Gene transfer of an anti-HIV antibody can therefore protect against infection by viruses that cause AIDS in primates when the host immune responses are controlled.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / genetics
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology*
  • Cyclosporine / pharmacology
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Gene Transfer Techniques
  • Genetic Therapy / methods
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • HIV Antibodies / genetics
  • HIV Antibodies / immunology*
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / genetics*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • DNA Primers
  • HIV Antibodies
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Cyclosporine