Presenting native-like HIV-1 envelope trimers on ferritin nanoparticles improves their immunogenicity.

BACKGROUND: Presenting vaccine antigens in particulate form can improve their immunogenicity by enhancing B cell activation. FINDINGS: We describe ferritin-based protein nanoparticles that display multiple copies of native-like HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein trimers (BG505 SOSIP.664). Trimer-bearing nanoparticles were significantly more immunogenic than trimers in both mice and rabbits. Furthermore, rabbits immunized with the trimer-bearing nanoparticles induced significantly higher neutralizing antibody responses against most tier 1A viruses, and higher responses (but not significantly), to several tier 1B viruses and the autologous tier 2 virus than when the same trimers were delivered as soluble proteins. CONCLUSIONS: This or other nanoparticle designs may be practical ways to improve the immunogenicity of envelope glycoprotein trimers.

Duke Scholars

Author Celia Crane LaBranche Surgery, Surgical Sciences

Author David Charles Montefiori Surgery, Surgical Sciences