# Antigen persistence and TLR stimulation contribute to induction of a durable HIV-1-specific neutralizing antibody response

## TL;DR

Researchers found that combining antigen persistence and TLR stimulation can lead to long-lasting HIV-1-specific neutralizing antibodies.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates that mimicking replicating virus infection features enhances HIV-1 Env immunogenicity.

## Key findings

- NDV-VLPs with stabilized HIV-1 Env trimers did not induce neutralizing antibodies like those with influenza or SARS-CoV2.
- Replicating adenovirus type 4 expressing Env rapidly induced autologous neutralizing antibodies.
- Durable neutralizing antibodies were achieved by combining features of replicating virus infection, especially dose escalation.

## Abstract

HIV-1 Env glycoprotein (Env) immunogenicity is limited in part by structural instability and extensive glycan shielding and is likely the greatest obstacle to an HIV-1 vaccine. Stabilized Env trimers can elicit serum neutralizing antibodies, but the response is short-lived. Here we use Newcastle Disease Virus-like particle (NDV-VLP) platform to present stabilized versions of HIV-1 Env at high valency and in the context of varied conformational stability, adjuvants, dose, and antigen persistence. Influenza virus hemagglutinin, or SARS-CoV2 Spike-bearing VLPs rapidly induce neutralizing antibodies, in contrast, they were not induced by those bearing Env. A replicating adenovirus type 4 expressing Env rapidly induces autologous neutralizing antibodies. However, durable neutralizing antibodies are induced only when multiple features of a replicating virus infection are combined, with the largest impact from dose and escalating dose. In summary, we show here immunogenicity of HIV-1 Env could be improved by reproducing features of virus infection.

Vaccination efficiency in HIV infection is hampered by the low immunogenicity of HIV-1 Env glycoprotein (Env). Here authors optimise the neutralising antibody response to Env by stabilizing the Env trimers in the context of expressing them in a Newcastle Disease Virus-like particle and providing conditions that mimics replicating virus infection.