26 January 2024 | Nathan L. Board, Zhe Yuan, Fengting Wu, Milica Moskovljevic, Meghana Ravi, Srona Sengupta, Sung Soo Mun, Francesco R. Simonetti, Jun Lai, Pablo Tebas, Kenneth Lynn, Rebecca Hoh, Steven G. Deeks, Janet D. Siliciano, Luis J. Montaner & Robert F. Siliciano
The study investigates the potential of bispecific antibodies (bAbs) targeting the HIV-1 envelope protein (Env) and the human type III Fcγ receptor (CD16) to enhance HIV-1-specific natural killer (NK) cell activity and eliminate latently infected CD4+ T cells. Two single-chain bAbs, PG16-Db and 3BNC117-Db, were designed based on broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) PG16 and 3BNC117, respectively. These bAbs were shown to robustly activate HIV-1-specific NK cells and promote their-mediated lysis of infected cells. In vitro, these bAbs significantly reduced the number of intact provirus+ CD4+ T cells, both in the presence and absence of latency reversal agents (LRAs). In humanized mice, 3BNC117-Db treatment enhanced NK cell activity and reduced the frequency of intact provirus+ CD4+ T cells, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic for HIV-1 reservoir clearance. The study highlights the promise of bAbs in enhancing NK cell-mediated elimination of HIV-1-infected cells and warrants further evaluation as a therapeutic strategy.The study investigates the potential of bispecific antibodies (bAbs) targeting the HIV-1 envelope protein (Env) and the human type III Fcγ receptor (CD16) to enhance HIV-1-specific natural killer (NK) cell activity and eliminate latently infected CD4+ T cells. Two single-chain bAbs, PG16-Db and 3BNC117-Db, were designed based on broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) PG16 and 3BNC117, respectively. These bAbs were shown to robustly activate HIV-1-specific NK cells and promote their-mediated lysis of infected cells. In vitro, these bAbs significantly reduced the number of intact provirus+ CD4+ T cells, both in the presence and absence of latency reversal agents (LRAs). In humanized mice, 3BNC117-Db treatment enhanced NK cell activity and reduced the frequency of intact provirus+ CD4+ T cells, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic for HIV-1 reservoir clearance. The study highlights the promise of bAbs in enhancing NK cell-mediated elimination of HIV-1-infected cells and warrants further evaluation as a therapeutic strategy.