Genetic and antigenic relatedness of the human immunodefiency virus type 1. The genomic composition of the human immunodefiency virus (HIV) type 1 is characterized by extensive genetic variability that has so far distinguished these viruses into three groups including M (main), O (outlier), and N (non-M, non-O). The majority of HIV-1 strains identified worldwide have been classified into subgroups (known as subtypes) within group M. In order to control the global HIV epidemic, a vaccine that will be potent against all of the different HIV genetic groups is needed. To begin to understand how to design such a vaccine, we must first unravel the genetic and antigenic relationships that distinguish these viruses. The HIV envelope is used to genetically characterize HIV into groups and subtypes and is also the target for antibodies in the infected host. In our lab, we are isolating and genetically characterizing HIV-1 strains from diverse origin and using monoclonal antibodies to different envelope regions derived from HIV-1 infected patients to study the immunologic relatedness of isolates of different genetic subtypes. For this, we are using neutralization and binding assays to study the interaction of these different viruses and antibodies. Our binding studies reveal the antigenic landscape of these viruses by identifying the envelope regions that are exposed on the surface of these viruses. Cluster analysis of binding and neutralization data identifies viruses of different subtypes that are immunologically related and belonging to the same immunotype.

HIV genetic variability
HIV immunogenicity
HIV antigenicity
HIV Immunotypes