An antibody (in red) binds to the surface of an HIV virus. (Image: David S. Goodsell, RCSB PDB)
Prof. Alexandra Trkola, PhD Institute of Medical Virology University of Zurich Phone +41 44 634 53 80 E-mail Website Prof. Huldrych Günthard, MD Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology University Hospital Zurich Phone +41 44 255 34 50 E-mail Website Links: Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS) Zurich Primary HIV Infection Study (ZPHI) We know from HIV research that around one percent of people infected with HIV form antibodies that combat different virus strains. These broadly neutralizing HIV antibodies (bnAbs) bind to structures on the surface of the virus which barely change and are identical in different viral strains. Dubbed "spikes", these sugar and protein complexes are the only surface structures that stem from the HIV virus itself and can be attacked by the immune system via antibodies. Due to their broad impact, these antibodies constitute a promising cornerstone for the development of an effective vaccine against HIV. Virus load, virus diversity and duration of infection encourage antibody formation. A Switzerland-wide team of researchers headed by the University of Zurich and University Hospital Zurich conducted an extensive study on the factors responsible for the formation of broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV. They examined around 4,500 people infected with HIV who are recorded in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study and the Zurich Primary HIV Infection Study, and identified 239 people who form such antibodies.
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