Recent advances in the characterization of HIV-1 neutralization assays for standardized evaluation of the antibody response to infection and vaccination.
In AIDS vaccine development the pendulum has swung towards a renewed emphasis on the potential role for neutralizing antibodies in a successful global vaccine. It is recognized that vaccine-induced antibody performance, as assessed in the available neutralization assays, may well serve as a "gatekeeper" for HIV-1 subunit vaccine prioritization and advancement. As a result, development of a standardized platform for reproducible measurement of neutralizing antibodies has received considerable attention. Here we review current advancements in our knowledge of the performance of different types of antibodies in a traditional primary cell neutralization assay and the newer, more standardized TZM-bl reporter cell line assay. In light of recently revealed differences (see accompanying article) in the results obtained in these two neutralization formats, parallel evaluation with both platforms should be contemplated as an interim solution until a better understanding of immune correlates of protection is achieved.
Polonis
Victoria R
VR
Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Washington, DC, USA. vpolonis@hivresearch.org
Brown
Bruce K
BK
Rosa Borges
Andrew
A
Zolla-Pazner
Susan
S
Dimitrov
Dimiter S
DS
Zhang
Mei-Yun
MY
Barnett
Susan W
SW
Ruprecht
Ruth M
RM
Scarlatti
Gabriella
G
Fenyö
Eva-Maria
EM
Montefiori
David C
DC
McCutchan
Francine E
FE
Michael
Nelson L
NL
D016915:AIDS Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006367:HeLa Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear; D008156:Luciferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009500:Neutralization Tests / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014611:Vaccination
D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D008156:Luciferases