Researchers have managed to overcome significant obstacles that previously hindered the development of an effective vaccine. Unlike older methods that required seven to ten injections to achieve a significant immune response, the new immunogen, named WIN332, triggers a protective process immediately after the first injection. This became possible due to a new approach to vaccine design.
Scientists focused on studying the viral envelope and the antibodies produced by people who successfully resist the infection. They found that not all parts of the viral envelope are critically important for forming immune protection. As a result, a drug was created based on a fragment of the viral envelope, from which a specific part was removed, making it more effective for training the immune system.
During trials, the vaccine was administered to healthy rhesus macaques. Analyses showed that just three weeks after the first administration, antibodies capable of neutralizing various strains of HIV appeared in the animals' blood. "We achieved a noticeable neutralization response already after the first immunization, which contradicts previous beliefs," noted one of the authors of the study, Amelia Escolano.
The administration of a booster dose of the vaccine led to a significant increase in the number of protective antibodies. Biologists hope that their discovery will serve as the basis for creating a convenient and effective vaccine for humans in the future. This could have a significant impact on the fight against HIV, simplifying the vaccination process for patients and doctors.
