Complex-type N -glycan recognition by potent broadly neutralizing HIV antibodies

Broadly neutralizing HIV antibodies (bNAbs) can recognize carbohydrate-dependent epitopes on gp120. In contrast to previously characterized glycan-dependent bNAbs that recognize high-mannose N-glycans, PGT121 binds complex-type N-glycans in glycan microarrays. We isolated the B-cell clone encoding PGT121, which segregates into PGT121-like and 10-1074-like groups distinguished by sequence, binding affinity, carbohydrate recognition, and neutralizing activity. Group 10-1074 exhibits remarkable potency and breadth but no detectable binding to protein-free glycans. Crystal structures of unliganded PGT121, 10-1074, and their likely germ-line precursor reveal that differential carbohydrate recognition maps to a…

• UD
  U.S. Department of Energy
• BA
  Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

  Awards: 38660, 1032144
• GA
  Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
• CI
  California Institute of Technology
• WT
  Wellcome Trust

  Award: WT093378MA
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Award: U01 CA128416
• EA
  Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

  Awards: EP/G037604/1, EP/G037604/1
• NC
  National Cancer Institute