Structure and immunogenicity of a stabilized HIV-1 envelope trimer based on a group-M consensus sequence

Kwinten Sliepen, Byung Woo Han, Ilja Bontjer, Petra Mooij, Fernando Garces, Anna-Janina Behrens, Kimmo Rantalainen, Sonu Kumar, Anita Sarkar, Philip J. M. Brouwer, Yuanzi Hua, Monica Tolazzi, Edith Schermer, Jonathan L. Torres, Gabriel Ozorowski, Patricia van der Woude, Alba Torrents de la Peña, Mariëlle J. van Breemen, Juan Miguel Camacho-Sánchez, Judith A. BurgerMax Medina-Ramírez, Nuria González, Jose Alcami, Celia LaBranche, Gabriella Scarlatti, Marit J. van Gils, Max Crispin, David C. Montefiori, Andrew B. Ward, Gerrit Koopman, John P. Moore, Robin J. Shattock, Willy M. Bogers, Ian A. Wilson, Rogier W. Sanders

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Abstract

Stabilized HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins (Env) that resemble the native Env are utilized in vaccination strategies aimed at inducing broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). To limit the exposure of rare isolate-specific antigenic residues/determinants we generated a SOSIP trimer based on a consensus sequence of all HIV-1 group M isolates (ConM). The ConM trimer displays the epitopes of most known bNAbs and several germline bNAb precursors. The crystal structure of the ConM trimer at 3.9 Å resolution resembles that of the native Env trimer and its antigenic surface displays few rare residues. The ConM trimer elicits strong NAb responses against the autologous virus in rabbits and macaques that are significantly enhanced when it is presented on ferritin nanoparticles. The dominant NAb specificity is directed against an epitope at or close to the trimer apex. Immunogens based on consensus sequences might have utility in engineering vaccines against HIV-1 and other viruses.
Original languageEnglish
Article number2355
JournalNature communications
Volume10
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

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