CD4 Mimetic Drug Lifts HIV Cell Engulfment 2.3-Fold, Boosting Cure Strategy at AIDS 2026
Updated
Updated · aidsmap · Aug 7
CD4 Mimetic Drug Lifts HIV Cell Engulfment 2.3-Fold, Boosting Cure Strategy at AIDS 2026
3 articles · Updated · aidsmap · Aug 7
Summary
CJF-III-288, a new CD4 mimetic, significantly increased antibody binding and immune-cell engulfment of HIV-infected cells in lab studies presented at AIDS 2026.
HIV normally hides its Env surface protein by downregulating CD4 through the nef and vpu genes, blunting natural antibody responses and limiting the curative potential of broadly neutralising antibodies alone.
In engineered viruses lacking nef and vpu, about 10 times more antibody bound to infected cells and monocytes were 2.3 times more likely to swallow them, showing what the drug is designed to mimic.
Tests using cells from 5 people with HIV also showed higher ADCP activity, though responses ranged from negligible in one sample to more than 100% in others.
Adding interferon-beta to CJF-III-288 more than doubled antibody recognition and lifted ADCP another 33%, suggesting CD4 mimetics could serve as an accessory therapy alongside bnAbs and vaccines in HIV cure efforts.