Characterization of the phenotypic and transcriptional profiles of B cells that encode broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV

HIV impairs multiple aspects of the immune response to evade immune-mediated clearance. As such, broadly neutralizing anti-HIV antibodies are rare. HIV-induced B-cell defects are thought to impair the development of broadly neutralizing antibodies. However, a rare group of patients still make highly effective broadly neutralizing antibodies that could protect uninfected individuals if induced with a vaccine before exposure to HIV. The relevant B cells in such individuals could have special characteristics that enable good responses despite HIV-induced impairments. I will utilize clinical samples from individuals who make broadly neutralizing antibodies to study the nature of the B cells that can produce broadly neutralizing antibodies. Together with traditional methods, I will utilize a cutting edge technology, single cell RNA-seq, to determine their global gene expression patterns. The new knowledge will reveal immune profiles that can be induced with appropriate vaccine adjuvants in HIV vaccine strategies to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies.