Recent insights into Fc-mediated effector responses to HIV-1

Purpose of review Recent work defining Fc-mediated effector functions for both viral control and protection against infection is summarized and considered along with new strategies to drive robust Fc-mediated responses. Recent findings In new human and nonhuman primate (NHP) vaccine trials as well as studies of natural infection, Fc-mediated effector responses have sometimes been observed to correlate with decreased risk of infection or with better clinical outcomes, suggesting a potential role for these responses in HIV-1 prevention and therapy. Recent highlights include use of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity-sensitizing CD4-induced mimetic compounds, novel V1V2 immunogens, passive transfer studies, and vaccine regimens that successfully elicited Fc-mediated responses and were reported to decrease risk of infection in challenge studies in NHPs. Lastly, detailed studies of IgG3 forms of HIV-specific antibodies have reported that both neutralizing and Fc-mediated responses can be increased relative to the more prevalent IgG1 subclass. Summary Successful harmonization of neutralizing and Fc-mediated responses may make key contributions to the goal of reducing HIV-1 infection via active and passive vaccination. New studies continue to highlight the importance of Fc-mediated antibody responses as correlates of decreased risk of infection and suggest enhanced phagocytosis is a potential mechanism of reduced risk of infection associated with human IgG3 responses. R...
Source: Current Opinion in HIV and AIDS - Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: ANTIBODY STRATEGIES IN HIV PREVENTION AND CURE: Edited by Mattia Bonsignori and Marina Caskey Source Type: research