Multimeric Antigen Display

Many viral antigens, such as the HIV envelope trimer, are multimeric glycoproteins [83]. Broadly neutralizing antibodies often target non-linear, conformational epitopes located at the intersection between protomers [83–85]. For induction of such bnAbs, the antigen thus needs to be delivered in its native quaternary structure [86]. The first study to achieve this through the Tag/Catcher technology, successfully displayed HIV envelope trimers on AP205 [72]. This demonstrates the platform's ability to allow antigen multimerization while providing increased stabilization of the protein complex on the CLP surface. Importantly, such display enables conformational epitopes to be presented in a native-like structural context. This represents an interesting new development for the display of multimeric and highly complex antigens, for a more focused immune activation.
