Mission Remission: Integrated characterization of the HIV Reservoir and Host Immune Responses after Antibody-Immunotherapy

Introduction

The search for a therapeutic intervention that can lead to HIV remission or cure is a global priority of the HIV field. HIV-specific antibodies have the potential to alter the clinical course of infection and enhance antiviral immune responses.

Recent Findings

In addition, we have recently demonstrated that antibody-based HIV immunotherapy results in higher-than-average cases of durable HIV remission in the absence of antiretroviral medication.

Impact on HIV Reservoir

Moreover, passive administration of HIV-specific antibodies was associated with reductions in the size of the replication-competent HIV reservoir, which is the major barrier towards a cure for HIV.

Importance of Understanding Mechanisms

While these results highlight the exceptional potential of HIV immunotherapy, it is critical to understand the underlying mechanisms responsible for higher rates of HIV remission and antibody-mediated changes in the reservoir.

Research Objectives

Therefore, we will identify individuals with long-term HIV remission from clinical antibody-immunotherapy trials before comprehensively characterizing:

1. Host immune responses
2. Host-viral gene expression
3. The HIV latent reservoir

By combining highly valuable clinical samples with novel strategies for the characterization of viral immunity and persistence, we aim to establish a relationship between:

• Antibody-based HIV immunotherapy
• Host immunological factors
• Adaptive immune responses
• The nature of the viral reservoir

With the overarching goal of developing clinical interventions for long-term, drug-free HIV remission or cure.