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Antibodies capable of neutralizing HIV-1 often target variable regions 1 and 2 (V1V2) of the HIV-1 envelope, but the mechanism of their elicitation has been unclear. Here we define the developmental pathway by which such antibodies are generated and acquire the requisite molecular characteristics for neutralization. Twelve somatically related neutralizing antibodies (CAP256-VRC26.01-12) were isolated from donor CAP256 (from the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA)); each antibody contained the protruding tyrosine-sulphated, anionic antigen-binding loop (complementarity-determining region (CDR) H3) characteristic of this category of antibodies. Their unmutated ancestor emerged between weeks 30-38 post-infection with a 35-residue CDR H3, and neutralized the virus that superinfected this individual 15 weeks after initial infection. Improved neutralization breadth and potency occurred by week 59 with modest affinity maturation, and was preceded by extensive diversification of the virus population. HIV-1 V1V2-directed neutralizing antibodies can thus develop relatively rapidly through initial selection of B cells with a long CDR H3, and limited subsequent somatic hypermutation. These data provide important insights relevant to HIV-1 vaccine development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the 38th Union World Conference on Lung Health held in Cape Town, South Africa. It discusses the move of health authorities to respond to the combination of HIV and tuberculosis (TB) including multiple-drug resistance to TB. According to the report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one-third of TB patients are unaware of their HIV status, while 9% of those with TB are HIV positive. It also discusses the importance of co-infection of HIV and TB which has been emerging specifically in the country during the early stage of AIDS pandemic.

Comments on the so-called Durban Declaration, which states that HIV is the cause of AIDS disease. How the declaration was a response to debates in South Africa which questioned the role of HIV in AIDS; Why `Nature' magazine endorses the Durban Declaration; Why South Africa's Thabo Mbeki should reconsider his view about the cause of AIDS.