Restricted isotype, distinct variable gene usage, and high rate of gp120 specificity of HIV-1 envelope-specific B cells in colostrum compared with those in blood of HIV-1-infected, lactating African women.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

A successful HIV-1 vaccine must elicit immune responses that impede mucosal virus transmission, though functional roles of protective HIV-1 Envelope (Env)-specific mucosal antibodies remain unclear. Colostrum is a rich source of readily accessible mucosal B cells that may help define the mucosal antibody response contributing to prevention of postnatal HIV-1 transmission. To examine the HIV-1 Env-specific colostrum B-cell repertoire, single B cells were isolated from 17 chronically HIV-infected, lactating women, producing 51 blood and 39 colostrum HIV-1 Env-specific B-cell antibodies. All HIV-1 Env-specific colostrum-derived antibodies were immunoglobulin (Ig)G1 isotype and had mean heavy chain complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) lengths and mutation frequencies similar to those isolated from blood. However, variable heavy chain (VH) gene subfamily 1(∼)69 usage was higher among colostrum than blood HIV-1 Env-reactive antibodies (49% vs. 20%, P=0.006, Fisher's exact test). Additionally, more HIV-1 Env-specific colostrum antibodies were gp120 specific than those isolated from blood (44% vs. 16%, P=0.005, Fisher's exact test). One cross-compartment HIV-1 Env-specific clonal B-cell lineage was identified. These unique characteristics of colostrum B-cell antibodies suggest selective homing of HIV-1-specific IgG1-secreting memory B cells to the mammary gland and have implications for targeting mucosal B-cell populations by vaccination.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Sacha, CR; Vandergrift, N; Jeffries, TL; McGuire, E; Fouda, GG; Liebl, B; Marshall, DJ; Gurley, TC; Stiegel, L; Whitesides, JF; Friedman, J; Badiabo, A; Foulger, A; Yates, NL; Tomaras, GD; Kepler, TB; Liao, HX; Haynes, BF; Moody, MA; Permar, SR

Published Date

  • March 2015

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 8 / 2

Start / End Page

  • 316 - 326

PubMed ID

  • 25100291

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC4320043

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1935-3456

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1038/mi.2014.69

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States