Human and chicken antibodies to CCR5-ECL1 block mucosal and systemic HIV infection

The HIV-1 coreceptor CCR5 and antibodies against it are relevant for HIV-1 vaccine design and therapy. Antibodies to the first loop (ECL1) of CCR5 have been identified in HIV-exposed uninfected individuals (ESN) and in HIV-positive non-progressing subjects. To better define the role of anti CCR5 antibodies in blocking HIV infection, we characterized their role at mucosal level and we defined the fine epitope mapping. Moreover, we tried to induce and reproduce this CCR5 specific immune response in animal model, such as mouse and chicken.