B-cell responses to HIV infection.

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Virology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Renewed interest in antibody-based strategies for HIV prevention and therapy.
• Advances in isolating and characterizing HIV-specific antibodies, including broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs).
• Identification of potent bNAbs primarily from chronically HIV-infected individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the phenotypic and functional attributes of human B cells in HIV infection.
• To focus on HIV-specific memory B cells and plasmablasts/cells involved in humoral immunity.
• To discuss B cell abnormalities in HIV infection and their implications for therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on B cells and HIV-specific antibodies.
• Analysis of phenotypic and functional characteristics of B cells in HIV-infected individuals.
• Examination of B cell abnormalities in peripheral blood and lymphoid tissues.

Main Results:

• Identification of a new generation of potent broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs).
• Majority of bNAbs isolated from B cells of chronically HIV-infected individuals.
• Characterization of B cell abnormalities in HIV infection, particularly with persistent viremia.

Conclusions:

• Understanding B cell attributes and abnormalities is crucial for developing effective HIV vaccines and therapies.
• Interrogating antibodies from HIV-infected individuals offers opportunities and challenges for intervention strategies.
• Further research into B cell responses can guide the development of antibody-based HIV prevention and treatment.