Antibodies found which target HIV fusion protein [XZ - W1]

Three different antibodies have been found to protect monkeys from HIV in a placebo-controlled proof of concept study. A human antibody and two monkey antibodies were found to be able to target the fusion peptide on the virus which assists viral entry.

The vaccine research center (VRC) at the National Institute of allergy and infectious disease (NIAID) isolated a fusion peptide derived antibody VRC34.01 and two antibodies from rhesus macaques DFPH-a.15 and DF1W-a.01 who received vaccination designed to generate fusion peptide derived antibodies and validated the protective effects of the antibodies via the simian-HIV (SHIV) challenge. 

By infusing four groups of monkeys (three groups received single intravenous infusion of one type of antibody, one group receiving a placebo), researchers found that all monkeys with the placebo acquired SHIV, while other groups demonstrated varying levels of protection from SHIV. In addition, a higher dose of infusion 10mg/kg compared to 2.5 mg/kg was correlated with a stronger protective effect.