Vaccination with an mRNA-encoded membrane-bound HIV envelope trimer induces neutralizing antibodies in animal models

A protective vaccine against HIV will likely need to induce broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) that engage relatively conserved epitopes on the HIV envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimer. We report the design of mRNA-delivered membrane-bound form of a stabilized native-like Env trimer (BG505 MD39.3) and comprehensive evaluation of B cell, T cell, and antibody responses in non-human primates. Overall design: HIV Env-specific memory B cells from PBMCs were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and analyzed by scRNA-seq, including VDJ and GEX libraries, using the 10X Genomics platform.