Short Communication: Virion Aggregation by Neutralizing and Nonneutralizing Antibodies to the HIV-1 Envelope Glycoprotein

AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2015 Nov;31(11):1160-5. doi: 10.1089/AID.2015.0050. Epub 2015 Jul 20.

Abstract

We used dynamic light scattering to detect aggregation of HIV-1 virions by antibodies (IgG) to the viral envelope glycoprotein (Env). Virions of different strains were inactivated by 2,2'-dithiodipyridine (AT-2), a procedure that abrogates infectivity but preserves the native antigenic structure of Env. Neutralizing antibodies directed to a V3-base- and glycan-dependent epitope on gp120 and to the apex of the Env trimer, as well as nonneutralizing antibodies to the epitope cluster I on the gp41-ectodomain, aggregated virions, but in markedly narrow concentration ranges. In contrast, the neutralizing antibody 2G12, which is specific for a composite glycan-dependent epitope on gp120 and functionally monovalent because of its unusual domain-swap structure, was nonaggregating. These results have potentially complex implications for vaccine development.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology
  • Dynamic Light Scattering
  • Glycoproteins
  • HIV Antibodies / immunology*
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Virion / immunology*
  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Glycoproteins
  • HIV Antibodies
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus