BARRIERS TO HIV VACCINE

Researchers at Scripps Institute studied on the antibodies that neutralize the HIV virus. They mainly focused on the antibody 4E10. This antibody binds to HIV surface protein gp41 and destroys the HIV virus. In this way, it protects the host cells. 4E10 antibody is of the special interest because it does not only recognizes and destroy one strain of virus but also destroys different strains. However, the study showed the vaccine response of antibody b12 which recognizes the CD4 binding site of HIV virus. If such vaccines that elicit those antibodies could be produced, recipients would be protected from various strains of HIV. Nonetheless, the team also discovered that the cells which can produce those antibodies can cross react with host tissue leading various autoimmune diseases.

http://www.scripps.edu/news/press/2013/20130920nemazee.html