Abstract
Purpose of the review:This review recalls recent findings regarding the induction of vaccinal effects by HIV-1 broadlyneutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) and highlights potential therapeutic strategies to exploit suchimmunomodulatory properties.Recent findings:Studies in different animal models have shown that monoclonal antibodies can generate long-lastingprotective immunity. Induction of this vaccinal effect by HIV-1 bNAbs has also been more recentlyreported in animal models of HIV-1 infection. Notably, bNAbs treatment of macaques infected withthe SHIV chimeric virus improved both humoral and cellular adaptive immune responses thatcontributed to disease control. Importantly, this concept has been extended to HIV-1 infected patientsas enhancement of humoral responses was recently reported in HIV-1 patients treated with bNAbs.Studies aiming at elucidating the mechanisms underlying these immunomodulatory properties ofbNAbs have identified a role for immune complexes in shaping immune responses against HIV-1.They also highlight different Fc effector functions that might be required for the enhancement of HIV-1 immune responses upon bNAbs treatment.Summary:HIV-1 bNAbs can elicit protective adaptive immune responses through mechanisms involvingmultiple cellular and molecular actors of the immune system. Harnessing these mechanisms will becrucial to achieve protective immunity against HIV-1 infection by bNAbs.