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

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) against HIV are thought to be a critical component of both prevention and cure strategies to achieve sustained epidemic control. bNAbs target highly conserved epitopes on the HIV envelope (Env) glycoprotein, such as the V3-glycan patch, and prevent viral entry into host cells, thereby providing protective immunity. A major roadblock to vaccine and cure research has been the lack of an outbred animal model in which potent bNAbs can be rapidly and reliably induced at clinically protective titers. Such a model would enable dissection of the molecular pathways underlying bNAb elicitation and maturation, ultimately informing iterative vaccine design efforts.