Teaching the immune system to produce broad anti-HIV antibodies
Guiding the maturation of anti-CD4-BS bnAbs through sequential heterologous Env immunization
This project uses a planned sequence of engineered HIV envelope proteins to train B cells to grow powerful antibodies that can block many different HIV strains.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11294182 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers give a series of specially designed HIV envelope immunogens in a set order to guide B cells toward making VRC01-class broadly neutralizing antibodies. They will optimize the timing, order, and choice of these immunogens in mice that carry human-like antibody genes so the results better reflect human immune responses. Prior work in controlled knock-in mice produced antibodies that neutralized about one-third of tested viruses after four immunizations, and the team now aims to increase that breadth. The goal is to find an immunization plan that more reliably leads to cross-reactive antibodies before any human testing begins.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People at risk for HIV infection or those willing to join future HIV vaccine trials would be the likely candidates for later-stage testing of this approach.
Not a fit: This preclinical vaccine work does not offer direct treatment or immediate benefit to people already living with HIV.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help create vaccines that teach people to make broadly neutralizing antibodies, improving prevention against many HIV strains.
How similar studies have performed: Related sequential and germline-targeting vaccine approaches have shown encouraging results in animal models and some early activation of VRC01-type responses in initial human studies, but broad neutralization in people remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stamatatos, Leonidas — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Stamatatos, Leonidas
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.