Antibody lineages with evidence of somatic hypermutation persisting for >4 years in a South African subject with broad neutralizing activity
Year: 2012
Type: article
Abstract: The origins and maturation pathways of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) are unknown. Only ~20% of HIV-1-infected subjects develop bnAbs, suggesting their development may require unusual or protracted maturation pathways. Two subjects were followed from the time of HIV-1 infection to >3 years; one developed broad neutralization (CAP206) while the other did not (CH040). Memory B cells were sorted as single antigen-specific cells, Ig heavy and light chain genes were amplified by PCR, and recombinant mAbs produced. Variable heavy chain gene (V H ) 454 pyrosequencing was performed on 5-10 samples spanning the 3-5 years of infection. From CAP206 we isolated 13 Env-reactive mAbs of which 6 (46%) used V H 1-69; from these we identified three V H 1-69 clonal lineages. One clonal lineage contained a neutralizing antibody (CAP206-CH12) while the other two lineages had non-neutralizing antibodies (CH64, CH82). All three clonal lineages were mutated (range 5.2-11.8% V H mutation), and members of these lineages could be detected by 454 sequencing as early as one month after infection, with persistence as late as 57 months after infection. In contrast, an autologous neutralizing antibody clonal lineage from CH040 was found only over a one month period, and was not detected in three additional samples over 48 months. Of 18 additional CH040 Env clonal lineages, lineage members from 9 were found only at a single time point, 8 lineages had members found over two time points, and only 1/18 lineages were detected spanning 48 months. Multiple Env-reactive antibody clonal lineages persisted for up to 5 years in broad neutralizer CAP206 while the autologous neutralizing antibody clonal lineage and other Env-reactive lineages did not persist in non-neutralizer CH040. These data raise the hypothesis that a high degree of clonal persistence was required for the development of broad neutralization, and imply a predisposition for this trait in broad neutralizers.
Source: Retrovirology
Language: English
Topic: HIV Research and Treatment
Subfield: Virology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,890
OpenAlex ID: W18167332