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Neutralizing antibodies against HIV -- back in the major leagues?
Flavia Ferrantelli1, Ruth M Ruprecht
1Department of Cancer Immunology and AIDS, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. flavia_ferrantelli@dfci.harvard.edu
Abstract:
The past few months have seen encouraging successes for neutralizing antibodies against HIV; human monoclonal antibodies targeting conserved HIV envelope epitopes potently neutralized primary virus isolates, including strains of different clades. In primates, passive immunization with combinations containing human monoclonal antibodies completely prevented infection, even after mucosal virus challenges. Epitopes recognized by the protective monoclonal antibodies are important determinants for protection and provide a rational basis for AIDS vaccine development.