Mahan, Alison E.Jennewein, MaddySuscovich, ToddDionne, KendallTedesco, JacquelynneChung, Amy W.Streeck, HendrikPau, MariaSchuitemaker, HannekeFrancis, DonFast, PatriciaLaufer, DagnaWalker, BruceBaden, LindseyBarouch, DanAlter, Galit2016-04-012016Mahan, A. E., M. F. Jennewein, T. Suscovich, K. Dionne, J. Tedesco, A. W. Chung, H. Streeck, et al. 2016. “Antigen-Specific Antibody Glycosylation Is Regulated via Vaccination.” PLoS Pathogens 12 (3): e1005456. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1005456. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1005456.1553-7366http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:26318736Antibody effector functions, such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, complement deposition, and antibody-dependent phagocytosis, play a critical role in immunity against multiple pathogens, particularly in the absence of neutralizing activity. Two modifications to the IgG constant domain (Fc domain) regulate antibody functionality: changes in antibody subclass and changes in a single N-linked glycan located in the CH2 domain of the IgG Fc. Together, these modifications provide a specific set of instructions to the innate immune system to direct the elimination of antibody-bound antigens. While it is clear that subclass selection is actively regulated during the course of natural infection, it is unclear whether antibody glycosylation can be tuned, in a signal-specific or pathogen-specific manner. Here, we show that antibody glycosylation is determined in an antigen- and pathogen-specific manner during HIV infection. Moreover, while dramatic differences exist in bulk IgG glycosylation among individuals in distinct geographical locations, immunization is able to overcome these differences and elicit antigen-specific antibodies with similar antibody glycosylation patterns. Additionally, distinct vaccine regimens induced different antigen-specific IgG glycosylation profiles, suggesting that antibody glycosylation is not only programmable but can be manipulated via the delivery of distinct inflammatory signals during B cell priming. These data strongly suggest that the immune system naturally drives antibody glycosylation in an antigen-specific manner and highlights a promising means by which next-generation therapeutics and vaccines can harness the antiviral activity of the innate immune system via directed alterations in antibody glycosylation in vivo.en-USBiology and Life SciencesPhysiologyImmune PhysiologyAntibodiesMedicine and Health SciencesImmunologyImmune System ProteinsBiochemistryProteinsGlycobiologyGlycosylationPost-Translational ModificationImmune ResponseInflammationPathology and Laboratory MedicineSigns and SymptomsMicrobiologyMedical MicrobiologyMicrobial PathogensViral PathogensImmunodeficiency VirusesHIVPathogensOrganismsVirusesBiology and life sciencesRNA virusesRetrovirusesLentivirusVaccination and ImmunizationVaccinesPublic and Occupational HealthPreventive MedicineAntigensMedicine and health sciencesInfectious diseasesViral diseasesHIV infectionsJournal Article2016-04-0110.1371/journal.ppat.1005456