Targeting the HIV-1 Spike and Coreceptor with Bi- and Trispecific Antibodies for Single-Component Broad Inhibition of Entry

Abstract

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) prevent HIV infection in monkey challenge models and suppress HIV replication in infected humans. Combinations of bNAbs are more effective at suppression, and antibody-like molecules engineered to have two or three bNAb combining sites also inhibit HIV replication in monkeys and other animal models. To expand the available array of multispecific HIV inhibitors, we designed single-component molecules that incorporate two (bispecific) or three (trispecific) bNAb binding sites that recognize the HIV envelope glycoprotein (Env) or the HIV coreceptor (CCR5) or that cross-target both Env and CCR5. Several of the bi- and trispecific molecules neutralized most viruses in a diverse cross-clade panel, with greater breadth and potency than those of the individual parental bNAbs. The molecules described here provide additional options for preventing or suppressing HIV infection.