# Structural characterization of Fab-dimerized glycan-reactive antibodies that neutralize HIV-1

> **NIH NIH R01** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $704,939

## Abstract

Structural characterization of Fab-dimerized glycan-reactive antibodies that neutralize HIV-1
 A glycan shield covers the HIV-1 envelope (Env) limiting antibody access to broadly neutralizing
antibody (bnAb) epitopes. 2G12 had for long been the only example of a HIV-1 bnAb that interacts solely with
the Env glycan shield. Its unique VH domain-swapped architecture, with two Fab arms swapped to create a
Fab-dimerized IgG, allows 2G12 to simultaneously interact with 4 glycans, thus bolstering typically weak
protein-glycan binding through avidity. We have recently characterized structurally diverse Fab-dimerized,
glycan-reactive (FDG) antibodies that target the HIV-1 Env glycan shield. Unlike 2G12, these newly identified
FDG antibodies are not domain-swapped; instead, Fab dimerization occurred by mechanisms including inter-
Fab disulfide linkage, hydrophobic and hydrogen bond interactions. We further showed that the HIV-1 Env-
targeting FDG antibodies recognized a glycan cluster in the S2 subunit of the SARS-CoV-2 spike. While our
results reveal diverse ways antibodies can Fab dimerize to recognize glycans clusters, several questions
remain regarding the mechanisms of Fab dimerization and glycan recognition. Understanding these will
provide insights into the development of B cell responses to glycans.
 The overall goals of this study are to understand structural determinants of antibody Fab dimerization
leading to high affinity glycan recognition. That 2G12 and other FDG bnAbs specifically recognize a conserved
glycan cluster on HIV-1 Envs that consists of self-sugars in a unique non-self presentation provides basis for
immunological discrimination between glycans on host and invading pathogens. The scientific premise of this
grant is that defining structural mechanisms for glycan recognition by Fab dimerized antibodies will allow
specific targeting of diverse glycosylated pathogens. The innovations in this grant derive from (i) an expanded
repertoire of FDG antibodies, (ii) the demonstration that FDG antibodies are prevalent, (iii) the finding that
domain-swapped VH conformation is not necessary for HIV-1 neutralization.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10403172
- **Project number:** 1R01AI165147-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Priyamvada Acharya
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $704,939
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-17 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10403172

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10403172, Structural characterization of Fab-dimerized glycan-reactive antibodies that neutralize HIV-1 (1R01AI165147-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10403172. Licensed CC0.

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