Geospatial HIV-1 subtype C gp120 sequence diversity and its predicated impact on broadly neutralizing antibody sensitivity

Evolving diversity in globally circulating HIV-1 subtypes presents formidable challenge in defining and developing neutralizing antibodies for prevention and treatment. HIV-1 subtype C is responsible for majority of global HIV-1 infections. Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) capable of neutralizing distinct HIV-1 subtypes by targeting conserved vulnerable epitopes on viral envelope protein (Env) are being considered as promising antiviral agents for prevention and treatment. In the present study, we examined the diversity in genetic signatures and attributes that differentiate region-specific global HIV-1 subtype C gp120 sequences associated with virus neutralization outcomes to key bnAbs having distinct epitope specificities. A total of 1814 full length HIV-1 subtype C gp120 sequence from 37 countries were retrieved from Los Alamos National Laboratory HIV database (www.hiv.lanl.gov). The amino acid sequences were assessed for their phylogenetic association, variable loop lengths and prevalence of potential N-linked glycosylation sites (pNLGS). Responses of these sequences to bnAbs were predicted with a machine learning algorithm bNAb-ReP and compared with those reported in the CATNAP database. Phylogenetically, sequences...Continue Reading