HIV Vaccine: New Studies Show 'Spectacular' Advancements Toward Cure

New research led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) and The Rockefeller University show tremendous headway regarding a potential human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine. The findings are published in the journal Cell and Science.

"The results are pretty spectacular," said Dennis Burton, chair of the department of immunology and microbial science at The Scripps Research Institute, which was involved with two studies using mouse models, in a news release. Both studies successfully tested a protein nanoparticle on two different mouse models, binding to and activating cells needed to prevent HIV infection.

Researchers found that when used in mice, the vaccine effectively stimulated the immune system activity necessary to stop infection. The findings could provide key information for the development of an effective AIDS vaccine.

The study authors noted that the new concept for the experimental HIV vaccine is a twist on the traditional booster shot, in which patients are repeatedly exposed to the same immunogen.

They discovered that an immunogen called eOD-GT8 60mer could be effective as the first in a series of immunizations against HIV, helping to produce antibody "precursors" that scientists say possess some of the required abilities to recognize and even block HIV. And when used in mouse models, researchers found that they produced antibodies that resemble human antibodies.

With the help of a technique known as B cell sorting, researchers found that immunisation with eOD-GT8 60mer produced antibody "precursors" with some strains necessary to recognize and block HIV infection.

Furthermore, researchers believe that eOD-GT8 could work in the beginning of a series of immunizations against the infection.

A third study that was led by Weill Medical College of Cornell University tested a lab-designed molecular complex similar to the part of HIV that binds to cells in both rabbit and monkey models. The complex induced the animals' cells to produce antibodies a "tough-to-neutralize" HIV strain.

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