Evolution of an HIV glycan–dependent broadly neutralizing antibody epitope through immune escape

A minority of HIV-1–infected individuals develop broadly neutralizing antibodies, which are considered an important goal of many HIV vaccine strategies. Moore et al. now report their study of the evolution of a broadly neutralizing antibody response targeting a glycan on the viral envelope in two HIV-1–infected individuals. Their findings show that the targeted glycan is absent early in acute infection but develops over time as the virus escapes initial antibody-mediated pressure.