Antigen-Specific Antibody Glycosylation Is Regulated via Vaccination

PLoS Pathog. 2016 Mar 16;12(3):e1005456. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005456. eCollection 2016 Mar.

Abstract

Antibody effector functions, such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, complement deposition, and antibody-dependent phagocytosis, play a critical role in immunity against multiple pathogens, particularly in the absence of neutralizing activity. Two modifications to the IgG constant domain (Fc domain) regulate antibody functionality: changes in antibody subclass and changes in a single N-linked glycan located in the CH2 domain of the IgG Fc. Together, these modifications provide a specific set of instructions to the innate immune system to direct the elimination of antibody-bound antigens. While it is clear that subclass selection is actively regulated during the course of natural infection, it is unclear whether antibody glycosylation can be tuned, in a signal-specific or pathogen-specific manner. Here, we show that antibody glycosylation is determined in an antigen- and pathogen-specific manner during HIV infection. Moreover, while dramatic differences exist in bulk IgG glycosylation among individuals in distinct geographical locations, immunization is able to overcome these differences and elicit antigen-specific antibodies with similar antibody glycosylation patterns. Additionally, distinct vaccine regimens induced different antigen-specific IgG glycosylation profiles, suggesting that antibody glycosylation is not only programmable but can be manipulated via the delivery of distinct inflammatory signals during B cell priming. These data strongly suggest that the immune system naturally drives antibody glycosylation in an antigen-specific manner and highlights a promising means by which next-generation therapeutics and vaccines can harness the antiviral activity of the innate immune system via directed alterations in antibody glycosylation in vivo. .

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity / immunology*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Glycosylation
  • HIV Antibodies / immunology*
  • HIV Antibodies / isolation & purification
  • HIV Antigens / immunology*
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV Seropositivity
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Male
  • Phagocytosis
  • Vaccination*

Substances

  • HIV Antibodies
  • HIV Antigens
  • Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • glycosylated IgG