Mechanisms contributing to the neutralization of HIV-1—Zolla-Pazner 1996

Ab, virus, and target cell determine virus neutralization. These characteristics can greatly alter neutralization experiments. In HIV-1 neutralization assays, initial HIV-1 isolates have a wide sensitivity range. The viral particle's structure, biology, envelope protein density, ability to retain or shed these proteins, and phenotype may determine which cells it infects. Neutralization is enhanced by Ab. Thus, the'match' between the Ab's specificity and the virus's epitope structure and availability will alter the contact and reduce virus infectivity. The neutralizing Ab's affinity for the virus epitope will also affect the virus's interaction with it. Other factors affect HIV-1 primary isolate neutralization sensitivity. Recent literature has ignored the target cell's involvement in displaying lower virus infectivity. Ab-mediated neutralization detection will depend on how well different cell types bind and infect a virion. The current HIV-1 neutralization literature is interpreted and reinterpreted using these parameters.

Zolla-Pazner S. (1996). Mechanisms contributing to the neutralization of HIV-1. Immunology letters, 51(1-2), 89–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-2478(96)02560-6