Exploiting B Cell Receptor Analyses to Inform on HIV-1 Vaccination Strategies
Christoph Kreer,
Henning Gruell,
Thierry Mora,
Aleksandra M. Walczak,
Florian Klein
Affiliations
Christoph Kreer
Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
Henning Gruell
Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
Thierry Mora
Laboratoire de Physique de l’École Normale Supérieure (PSL University), CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, 75005 Paris, France
Aleksandra M. Walczak
Laboratoire de Physique de l’École Normale Supérieure (PSL University), CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, 75005 Paris, France
Florian Klein
Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
The human antibody repertoire is generated by the recombination of different gene segments as well as by processes of somatic mutation. Together these mechanisms result in a tremendous diversity of antibodies that are able to combat various pathogens including viruses and bacteria, or malignant cells. In this review, we summarize the opportunities and challenges that are associated with the analyses of the B cell receptor repertoire and the antigen-specific B cell response. We will discuss how recent advances have increased our understanding of the antibody response and how repertoire analyses can be exploited to inform on vaccine strategies, particularly against HIV-1.
