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Updated: Jun 13, 2026
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In Vitro Assay to Evaluate the Impact of Immunoregulatory Pathways on HIV-specific CD4 T Cell Effector Function
Published on: October 15, 2013
Immune activation during broadly neutralizing antibody-mediated HIV suppression prior to post-intervention control
Julia A Wagner1, Demi A Sandel1, Ravi K Patel2
1Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|June 12, 2026
Summary
Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) may enhance immune responses in people with HIV (PWH). Early immune activation was observed during bNAb therapy, potentially contributing to long-term HIV control after treatment cessation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- HIV Research
Background:
- Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) show potential in enhancing HIV-specific T and B cell responses.
- Mechanisms underlying bNAb-mediated potentiation of host immunity in people with HIV (PWH) remain unclear.
- Previous trials showed bNAbs preceding analytic treatment interruption (ATI) led to partial HIV control in some PWH.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of bNAbs in enhancing endogenous immune responses during early HIV suppression post-ART interruption.
- To identify immune activation patterns and inflammatory pathways associated with bNAb-mediated control of HIV replication.
- To explore potential mechanisms for long-lasting HIV immune control following bNAb therapy.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of plasma inflammatory proteins and immune cell activation (phenotypic and transcriptional) early after ART interruption in PWH receiving bNAbs.
- Comparison of immune profiles between post-intervention controllers and non-controllers.
- Assessment for HIV-specific T cell or antibody responses during the bNAb-mediated suppression window.
Main Results:
- Increased plasma inflammatory proteins and activation of innate/adaptive immune cells were detected early post-ART interruption, before viral rebound.
- Post-intervention controllers exhibited distinct transcriptional activation patterns and longitudinal plasma inflammatory protein trends compared to non-controllers.
- No enhancement of HIV-specific T or B cell responses was observed during the bNAb-mediated suppression period.
Conclusions:
- bNAb therapy, preceding ATI, is associated with early innate and adaptive immune cell activation and inflammation.
- These early immune changes may contribute to the observed long-lasting HIV immune control in some individuals.
- The findings identify key cellular and inflammatory pathways involved in bNAb-mediated HIV suppression and control.
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