Production year
2017
© Hubert RAGUET / Institut Cochin / CNRS Images
20170080_0019
Assay of p24 protein following in-vitro infection with HIV of target cells in the presence or absence of IgA antibodies from HESN (highly exposed seronegative) subjects. This assay reveals the presence of HIV following infection of the target cells (and the reduction in this protein in the presence of protective/neutralising antibodies). The samples are distributed homogeneously in the assay rack using a multichannel dispensing pipette. The "Mucosal entry of HIV and mucosal immunity" team led by Morgane Bomsel has set up an IgA mucosal antibody combinatorial library using genital mucosal cells from women with high exposure to HIV (HESN - highly exposed seronegative), but who are protected from infection thanks to the HIV-specific IgA antibodies found in their genital mucosa. Research scientists are aiming to characterise these IgAs and thereby develop a prophylactic vaccine that reproduces the protective response observed in these HESN patients. Another possibility being studied involves finding an easy way to produce these IgAs capable of neutralising the mucosal entry of HIV, in order to use them as a microbicide for preventive use before sexual intercourse. A vaccination test in monkeys using a vaccine based on the parts of the virus recognised by these IgA antibodies was found to protect the vaccinated monkeys completely from repeated experimental vaginal infections. These pre-clinical studies were followed by a phase 1 clinical trial in which the vaccine succeeded in inducing IgA antibodies in the vaccinated women. A clinical study in humans (women and men) on a larger scale using this same vaccine is currently being prepared.
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2017
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