Characterization of a vaccine-elicited human antibody with sequence homology to VRC01-class antibodies that binds the C1C2 gp120 domain

Broadly HIV-1-neutralizing VRC01-class antibodies bind the CD4-binding site of Env and contain V(H)1-2*02-derived heavy chains paired with light chains expressing five-amino acid-long CDRL3s. Their unmutated germline forms do not recognize HIV-1 Env, and their lack of elicitation in human clinical trials could be due to the absence of activation of the corresponding naive B cells by the vaccine immunogens. To address this point, we examined Env-specific B cell receptor sequences from participants in the HVTN 100 clinical trial. Of all the sequences analyzed, only one displayed homology to VRC01-class antibodies, but the corresponding antibody (FH1) recognized the C1C2 gp120 domain. For FH1 to switch epitope recognition to the CD4-binding site, alterations in the CDRH3 and CDRL3 were necessary. Only germ line-targeting Env immunogens efficiently activated VRC01 B cells, even in the presence of FH1 B cells. Our findings support the use of these immunogens to activate VRC01 B cells in humans.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates that the activation of naive B cells is crucial for the development of broadly neutralizing HIV-1 antibodies. Only one antibody displayed homology to VRC01-class antibodies, but required alterations in certain domains to switch epitope recognition. Germ line-targeting Env immunogens efficiently activated VRC01 B cells, highlighting their importance in B cell activation.