Human IgM monoclonal antibodies block HIV-transmission to immune cells in cervico-vaginal tissues and across polarized epithelial cells in vitro

Sci Rep. 2018 Jul 5;8(1):10180. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-28242-y.

Abstract

The importance of natural IgM antibodies in protection against infections is still emerging and these antibodies have a potential role in the maintenance of homeostasis through clearance of apoptotic bodies, complement-dependent mechanisms, inflammation and exclusion of misfolded proteins. Natural IgM act as a first line of defence against unknown hazardous factors and are present in most vertebrates. We investigated the functional capacity of anti-HIV-1 IgM monoclonal antibodies, from a combinatorial Fab library derived from healthy individuals, and evaluated their protective role in inhibiting HIV-1 in vitro when passing across the human mucosal epithelial barrier. Primary HIV-1 isolates were efficiently transmitted over the tight polarized epithelial cells when added to their apical surface. Efficient inhibition of HIV-1 transmission was achieved when anti-HIV-1 IgM monoclonal antibodies were added to the basolateral side of the cells. Two of these human IgM MoAbs had the ability to neutralize HIV and reduced infection of dendritic cells in primary cervico-vaginal tissue biopsies in vitro. This indicates a potential role of natural IgM antibodies in the reduction of HIV-1 transmission in mucosal tissues and improve our understanding of how natural IgM antibodies against a neutralizing epitope could interfere with viral transmission.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology*
  • Biopsy
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Cell Polarity / immunology
  • Cervix Uteri / cytology
  • Cervix Uteri / immunology
  • Cervix Uteri / pathology
  • Cervix Uteri / virology
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / virology
  • Female
  • HIV Antibodies / administration & dosage
  • HIV Antibodies / immunology*
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / genetics
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / immunology
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Infections / pathology
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / blood
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin M / administration & dosage
  • Immunoglobulin M / immunology*
  • Mucous Membrane / cytology
  • Mucous Membrane / immunology
  • Mucous Membrane / virology
  • Peptide Library
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / immunology
  • Transcytosis / immunology
  • Vagina / cytology
  • Vagina / immunology
  • Vagina / pathology
  • Vagina / virology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • HIV Antibodies
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Peptide Library
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • gp120 protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1