Klein, Florian | Rohde, Malena - B 03

While daily antiretroviral therapy (ART) can effectively suppress HIV replication, an HIV cure still remains elusive. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches have been explored to achieve long-term control of HIV replication, leading to a so-called functional cure. Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs), targeting distinct sites on the HIV-1 Env glycoprotein, have emerged as promising candidates for both treatment of patients living with HIV (PLWH) and prevention of HIV infection. Moreover, due to their ability to neutralize the virus and eliminate HIV-1-infected cells, bNAbs have been tested in clinical trials as components of HIV cure strategies. Notably, several individuals have been able to maintain viral suppression following bNAb therapy even in the absence of ART – known as post intervention or post-bNAb controllers. 

Recent studies suggest that this effect may be linked to the induction of an autologous neutralizing antibody (aNAb) response, which helps to maintain viral control. In this project, we propose to test this hypothesis in an advanced model reflecting patient-like HIV-1 diversity. We expect that our study will provide key insights into the mechanisms of long-term antibody-mediated viral control following bNAb interventions.

Although ART effectively suppresses viremia in People Living With HIV, it is not curative. Recent findings suggest that autologous neutralizing antibodies, induced by therapeutic bNAb interventions, may play a critical role in controlling viremia. Understanding the mechanisms underlying sustained virological control following treatment interruption is key to developing therapeutic strategies and advancing efforts toward an HIV functional cure.

For more information, please check the Klein Lab. 

• Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne
• Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne
• German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany
• CRC 1310

Affiliations will be listed soon.