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Human immunity against viral infections relies on antibodies (Abs). Within months of infection, HIV-infected patients produce a strong Ab response against the virus, but the virus usually avoids the biological consequences of the Abs due to its many methods. We discuss viral evasion methods such glycosylation, rapid mutation rate, and envelope glycoprotein conformational masking. "Conventional Abs" are produced by virus infection and host evolution and can be triggered by immunization. They have limited neutralizing breadth and potency. "Exceptional Abs" are rare HIV-infected individuals with outstanding breadth and potency, but they require extended viral exposure to hypermutate the immunoglobulin variable regions. Conventional and extraordinary Abs target the HIV envelope spike's key areas. These include the envelope trimer's first, second, and third variable loops (V1, V2, and V3) near the apex, the CD4 binding site, and the membrane-proximal external area of the gp41 ectodomain. Finally, we cover HIV immunogen design and methods for selecting protective Abs-eliciting immunogens.

Mayr, L. M., & Zolla-Pazner, S. (2015). Antibodies Targeting the Envelope of HIV-1. Microbiology spectrum, 3(1), . https://doi.org/10.1128/microbiolspec.AID-0025-2014