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Recombination contributes substantially to the genetic diversity of HIV-1, and is likely to occur in populations in which multiple subtypes circulate. Molecular epidemiological studies showed that subtype B, CRF01_AE, and CRF07_BC are currently circulating in parallel among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China, suggesting the possible emergence of new recombinants. In the present study, we identified two new HIV Type 1 unique (CRF01_AE /B) recombinant forms in this population by near full-length genomic analysis. Our data provided the first description of the near full-length genomes of these new CRF01_AE/B recombinants as well as important insights into the complexity of HIV-1 recombinant strains currently in circulation among MSM in China. These data highlight the importance of continuous surveillance of the dynamic change of HIV-1 subtypes and new recombinants among the MSM population.

The aim of this study was to test whether deglycosylation of an HIV-1 AE recombinant-derived gp140 could enhance the induction of neutralizing antibodies. N-to-Q mutations were introduced in the V1/V2 (m157/161) or V4 (m382/388) loops by using overlapping PCR. BALB/c mice were inoculated with different DNA vaccines at weeks 0, 2, 4, and 7. The Elispot assay was used to quantify Env-specific T-cell immunity, and the TZM-bl cell-based in vitro neutralizing assay with primary isolates was used to assess humoral immune responses. Our data showed that two mutant DNA vaccines, designated m157/161 and m382/388, mounted total T-cell responses that were at levels similar those of the unmutated vaccine. Although the levels of binding antibodies elicited by the two mutants were significantly lower than the levels elicited by the unmutated vaccine, cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies were observed only in the sera that received the mutant DNA vaccines. These data demonstrate that deglycosylation of HIV-1 Env could enhance the capacity to elicit cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies.