Bacterially derived synthetic mimetics of mammalian oligomannose prime antibody responses that neutralize HIV infectivity. Issue 1 (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pantophlet, Ralph; Trattnig, Nino; Murrell, Sasha; Lu, Naiomi; Chau, Dennis; Rempel, Caitlin; Wilson, Ian; Kosma, Paul
• Is Part Of: Nature communications. Volume 8:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 12
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Biology -- Periodicals; Physical sciences -- Periodicals; 505
• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01640-y
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-1723

Abstract

Abstract Oligomannose-type glycans are among the major targets on the gp120 component of the HIV envelope protein (Env) for broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs). However, attempts to elicit oligomannose-specific nAbs by immunizing with natural or synthetic oligomannose have so far not been successful, possibly due to B cell tolerance checkpoints. Here we design and synthesize oligomannose mimetics, based on the unique chemical structure of a recently identified bacterial lipooligosaccharide, to appear foreign to the immune system. One of these mimetics is bound avidly by members of a family of oligomannose-specific bnAbs and their putative common germline precursor when presented as a glycoconjugate. The crystal structure of one of the mimetics bound to a member of this bnAb family confirms the antigenic resemblance. Lastly, immunization of human-antibody transgenic animals with a lead mimetic evokes nAbs with specificities approaching those of existing bnAbs. These results provide evidence for utilizing antigenic mimicry to elicit oligomannose-specific bnAbs to HIV-1. Neutralizing antibodies to oligomannose glycans on HIV Env are difficult to elicit, possibly due to B cell tolerance. Here, Pantophlet et al. synthesize mimetics based on a bacterial oligosaccharide and show that they evoke HIV-neutralizing antibody responses in animals with a human Ig repertoire.