An investigation of the breadth of neutralizing antibody response in cats naturally infected with feline immunodeficiency virus

• DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.071522-0
• Publication Date: 2014-11-14T04:14:39Z
• Authors: Paweł M. Bęczkowski; Nicola Logan; Elizabeth McMonagle; Annette Litster; Brian J. Willett; Margaret J. Hosie
• Keywords: Feline immunodeficiency virus; Antibody response

Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) are believed to comprise an essential component of the protective immune response induced by vaccines against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and human (HIV) infections. However, relatively little is known about role NAbs in controlling FIV infection subsequent disease progression. Here, we present studies where examined neutralization HIV-luciferase pseudotypes bearing homologous heterologous envelope proteins ( n = 278) sequential plasma samples collected at 6 month intervals from naturally infected cats 38) over a period 18 months. We evaluated breadth NAb non-recombinant clade A B viral variants, as well recombinants, assessed results, testing for evidence association between potency duration infection, CD4 + T lymphocyte numbers, health status survival times cats. Neutralization profiles varied significantly FIV-infected strong autologous neutralization, using luciferase-based vitro assays, did not correlate with clinical outcome. No was observed responses either improved or increased time animals, implying that other mechanisms were likely be involved. Similarly, no correlation development infection. Furthermore, cross-neutralizing evident only small proportion (13 %)