Induction of broadly neutralizing HIV antibodies by a two-step mechanism informs vaccine design

Science. 2026 Jun 18;392(6804):eaec6396. doi: 10.1126/science.aec6396. Epub 2026 Jun 18.

Abstract

A major obstacle confronting HIV-1 vaccine and cure research is the lack of an outbred animal model for rapid and consistent induction of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). We designed an epitope-focused simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV.5MUT) that elicited broad and potent V3-glycan-targeted antibodies within a year of infection in 14 of 22 macaques compared with 0 of 14 control animals. SHIV.5MUT elicited bNAbs by a two-step mechanism, inducing an initial wave of V1-directed antibodies that selected for envelope (Env) glycoprotein variants with shortened, hypoglycosylated V1 loops, which in turn primed V3-glycan bNAb precursors. Rhesus bNAbs were immunogenetically and structurally diverse, closely resembling human V3-glycan bNAbs. Env-bNAb coevolution revealed a diverse repertoire of bNAb precursors and the Env variants that matured them, yielding a molecular blueprint for vaccine design.

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Vaccines* / chemistry
  • AIDS Vaccines* / immunology
  • Animals
  • Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies* / immunology
  • Epitopes / chemistry
  • Epitopes / immunology
  • HIV Antibodies* / immunology
  • HIV Infections* / immunology
  • HIV Infections* / prevention & control
  • HIV-1* / genetics
  • HIV-1* / immunology
  • Humans
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus* / genetics
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus* / immunology
  • Vaccine Development*
  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus* / chemistry
  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus* / genetics
  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus* / immunology

Substances

  • AIDS Vaccines
  • Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies
  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
  • Epitopes
  • HIV Antibodies