scholarly journals How Does HIV Env Structure Informs Vaccine Design?

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 574-575
Author(s):  
Priyamvada Acharya ◽  
Robert Edwards ◽  
Rory Henderson ◽  
Kartik Manne ◽  
Katayoun Mansouri ◽  
...  

BackgroundThe DHVI Division of Structural Biology seeks to use atomic level structural information for design of an effective HIV-1 vaccine. Through visualization of the HIV-1 envelope (Env) and its interactions with the human immune system, we obtain structural information that we translate into the rational development vaccine immunogensMethodsWe use negative stain electron microscopy (NSEM), cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), and x-ray crystallography as the major structural techniques for visualization of HIV-1 Env, and combine these with biochemical and biophysical studies, as well as computational methods to obtain a basic understanding of the functions and interactions of the HIV-1 Env.Results:1.The DHVI NSEM pipeline runs on a daily basis to quality control vaccine immunogens for animal studies and other applications. Offering rapid sample turnover and economical operations, the NSEM pipeline is the most widely utilized resource of the DHVI Division of Structural Biology. Over the last year, the NSEM team has focused efforts on improving operational speed and data processing allowing high-quality visualization of a large variety of samples including HIV-1 Env immunogens, antibodies, nanoparticles, and VLPs. In the last year we have also expanded our NSEM studies to the analyses of serum samples and mucosal fluids.2.To understand the mechanism of HIV-1 entry we have determined structures of HIV-1 entry intermediates. We have determined a 3.8 Å resolution structure of a single CD4 bound to a closed HIV-1 Env trimer revealing new contacts of CD4 with Env. We have also structurally characterized an Env designed to prevent CD4-induced rearrangements by targeted disruption of an allosteric network modulating Env conformational changes.3.We have structurally characterized the HIV-1 glycan-V3 targeting DH270 Broadly Neutralizing Antibody Lineage. The structures revealed movements in the V1 loop and interactive glycans, shifts in antibody orientations, antibody VH-VL orientations, and antibody elbow angles, as the lineage progressed to maturation.4.We have solved a structure in complex with the HIV-1 Env immunogen Man5-enriched CH505.N279K.G458Y.SOSIP.664 of the unmutated common ancestor (UCA) of the HIV-1 CD4-binding site targeting CH235 Broadly Neutralizing Antibody Lineage. The structure revealed interactions of the N279K and G458Y mutations with the CDR L3 loop of CH235 UCA thus providing a structural understanding of the role of these mutations in facilitating binding to the CH235 UCA. (see also Henderson et al abstract)5.Using NSEM and cryo-EM we have characterized the structural properties of a novel class of 2G12-mimetic, yet non domain-swapped Fab dimer glycan-reactive (FDG) antibodies. These studies showed that the Fab-dimerized 2G12-like motif is more common than previously thought, and that creation of a Fab-dimerized paratope for an HIV-1 neutralizing antibody does not require VH domain-swapping.6.Finally, the structural team is an integral part of the CHAVD Kalma Immunogen Design Team, wherein we are defining the structural basis of bnAb affinity maturation to guide sequential immunogen design.Conclusions:These results highlight the power of structural information on HIV-1 vaccine design, from leveraging a basic understanding of HIV-1 entry mechanism for immunogen design, to rapid visualization of Env immunogens by NSEM for quality control, discovery of novel antibody interactions, and atomic level visualization of antibody/Env interactions.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajesh Kumar ◽  
Suprit Deshpande ◽  
Leigh M. Sewall ◽  
Gabriel Ozorowski ◽  
Christopher A. Cottrell ◽  
...  

AbstractEvaluating the structure-function relationship of viral envelope (Env) evolution and the development of broadly cross-neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) in natural infection can inform rational immunogen design. In the present study, we examined the magnitude and specificity of autologous neutralizing antibodies induced in rabbits by a novel HIV-1 clade C Env protein (1PGE-THIVC) vis-à-vis those developed in an elite neutralizer from whom the env sequence was obtained that was used to prepare the soluble Env protein. The thermostable 1PGE-THIVC Env displayed a native like pre-fusion closed conformation in solution as determined by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and negative stain electron microscopy (EM). This closed spike conformation of 1PGE-THIVC Env trimers was correlated with weak or undetectable binding of non-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) compared to neutralizing mAbs. Furthermore, 1PGE-THIVC SOSIP induced potent neutralizing antibodies in rabbits to autologous virus variants. The autologous neutralizing antibody specificity induced in rabbits by 1PGE-THIVC was mapped to the C3/V4 region (T362/P401) of viral Env. This observation agreed with electron microscopy polyclonal epitope mapping (EMPEM) of the Env trimer complexed with IgG Fab prepared from the immunized rabbit sera. While the specificity of antibodies elicited in rabbits associated with neutralizing autologous viruses were distinct to those developed in the elite neutralizer, EMPEM analysis demonstrated significant changes to Env conformations when incubated with polyclonal antibody sera from the elite neutralizer, suggesting these antibodies lead to the destabilization of Env trimers. Our study not only shows distinct mechanisms associated with potent neutralization of sequence matched and unmatched autologous viruses by antibodies induced in rabbits and in the elite neutralizer, but also highlights how neutralizing antibodies developed during the course of natural infection can impact viral Env conformations.Author SummaryThe interplay between circulating virus variants and broadly cross neutralizing polyclonal antibodies developed in a subset of elite neutralizers is widely believed to provide strategies for rational immunogen design. In the present study, we studied the structural, antigenic and immunogenic properties of a thermostable soluble trimeric protein with near native pre-fusion conformation prepared using the primary sequence of an HIV-1 clade C env isolated from the broadly cross neutralizing plasma of an elite neutralizer. This novel SOSIP Env trimer demonstrated comparable antigenic, structural and immunogenic properties that favoured several ongoing subunit vaccine design efforts. The novel clade C SOSIP induced polyclonal neutralizing antibody response developed in rabbits not only differed in its epitope specificity compared to that elicited in natural infection in presence of pool of viral quasispecies but also showed how they differ in their ability to influence Env structure and conformation. A better understanding of how vaccine-induced polyclonal neutralizing antibody responses compares to responses that developed in natural infection will improve our knowledge in designing better vaccine design strategies.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shasha Sun ◽  
Sen Zou ◽  
Yuanyuan Hu ◽  
Ying Liu ◽  
Li Ren ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTIn our study, we describe a slow progressor CBJC515 from whom we constructed pseudoviruses expressing autologous Env. We surprisingly found all the pseudoviruses were resistant to PGT135. By making site-directed mutations and chimeric Env constructs, we found the early 05 strains escaped from PGT135 by losing the N332 glycan site, while the later 06 and 08 strains may escape with the retention of key epitopes through the change of V1/V4/C2 region or by N398/N611 glycan, which was selected as unique N-glycosylation site of CBJC515 compared with CBJC437 whose viruses were also harboring key epitopes but sensitive to PGT135. These findings provide insights into how HIV-1 can escape from N332-directed broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAb) responses without changing the epitope itself, and these ways may be useful to prolong the exposures of bNAb epitopes and contribute to bNAb development. Furthermore, our chimeric experiments also allowed us to explore the co-evolution and retention of functionality among regions. We confirmed that the V1V2 region has a wide range of effectiveness in interfering with the function of envelope protein and the V3 region can promote protein function recovery and buffer the harmful polymorphisms in the other regions contributing to the Env antigenic diversity. These results may provide some clues for the design of vaccines against HIV-1 strains.IMPORTANCEOur findings of mechanisms escaping from PGT135 verified the extensive role of long V1 region in mediating escape from V3-bNAbs. In addition, we also found multiple additional ways suggested that extreme variation may be needed by HIV-1 to escape from PGT135 without changing the epitope itself. Although the V3-glycan bNAb responses are among the most promising vaccine targets, as they are commonly elicited during infection, our findings indicated there may be additional difficulties to be taken into account in immunogen design, such as the consideration of other regions and some glycosylation sites affecting the mask of key epitopes, as well as the selection pressure that may be required by other bNAbs. Our chimeric experiment also highlighted the key role of V3 region in contributing to the maintenance of Env diversity by buffering deleterious polymorphisms, which may be helpful for vaccine design.


Virulence ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 1271-1287
Author(s):  
Milan Kuchař ◽  
Petr Kosztyu ◽  
Veronika Daniel Lišková ◽  
Jiří Černý ◽  
Hana Petroková ◽  
...  

mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin von Bredow ◽  
Raiees Andrabi ◽  
Michael Grunst ◽  
Andres G. Grandea ◽  
Khoa Le ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTAs a consequence of their independent evolutionary origins in apes and Old World monkeys, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and simian immunodeficiency viruses of the SIVsmm/maclineage express phylogenetically and antigenically distinct envelope glycoproteins. Thus, HIV-1 Env-specific antibodies do not typically cross-react with the Env proteins of SIVsmm/macisolates. Here we show that PGT145, a broadly neutralizing antibody to a quaternary epitope at the V2 apex of HIV-1 Env, directs the lysis of SIVsmm/mac-infected cells by antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) but does not neutralize SIVsmm/macinfectivity. Amino acid substitutions in the V2 loop of SIVmac239 corresponding to the epitope for PGT145 in HIV-1 Env modulate sensitivity to this antibody. Whereas a substitution in a conserved N-linked glycosylation site (N171Q) eliminates sensitivity to ADCC, a lysine-to-serine substitution in this region (K180S) increases ADCC and renders the virus susceptible to neutralization. These differences in function correlate with an increase in the affinity of PGT145 binding to Env on the surface of virus-infected cells and to soluble Env trimers. To our knowledge, this represents the first instance of an HIV-1 Env-specific antibody that cross-reacts with SIVsmm/macEnv and illustrates how differences in antibody binding affinity for Env can differentiate sensitivity to ADCC from neutralization.IMPORTANCEHere we show that PGT145, a potent broadly neutralizing antibody to HIV-1, directs the lysis of SIV-infected cells by antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity but does not neutralize SIV infectivity. This represents the first instance of cross-reactivity of an HIV-1 Env-specific antibody with SIVsmm/macEnv and reveals that antibody binding affinity can differentiate sensitivity to ADCC from neutralization.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 673-703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn E. Stephenson ◽  
Kshitij Wagh ◽  
Bette Korber ◽  
Dan H. Barouch

Development of improved approaches for HIV-1 prevention will likely be required for a durable end to the global AIDS pandemic. Recent advances in preclinical studies and early phase clinical trials offer renewed promise for immunologic strategies for blocking acquisition of HIV-1 infection. Clinical trials are currently underway to evaluate the efficacy of two vaccine candidates and a broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAb) to prevent HIV-1 infection in humans. However, the vast diversity of HIV-1 is a major challenge for both active and passive immunization. Here we review current immunologic strategies for HIV-1 prevention, with a focus on current and next-generation vaccines and bNAbs.


2008 ◽  
Vol 82 (13) ◽  
pp. 6359-6368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rena D. Astronomo ◽  
Hing-Ken Lee ◽  
Christopher N. Scanlan ◽  
Ralph Pantophlet ◽  
Cheng-Yuan Huang ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The glycan shield of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp120 contributes to viral evasion from humoral immune responses. However, the shield is recognized by the HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibody (Ab), 2G12, at a relatively conserved cluster of oligomannose glycans. The discovery of 2G12 raises the possibility that a carbohydrate immunogen may be developed that could elicit 2G12-like neutralizing Abs and contribute to an AIDS vaccine. We have previously dissected the fine specificity of 2G12 and reported that the synthetic tetramannoside (Man4) that corresponds to the D1 arm of Man9GlcNAc2 inhibits 2G12 binding to gp120 as efficiently as Man9GlcNAc2 itself, indicating the potential use of Man4 as a building block for creating immunogens. Here, we describe the development of neoglycoconjugates displaying variable copy numbers of Man4 on bovine serum albumin (BSA) molecules by conjugation to Lys residues. The increased valency enhances the apparent affinity of 2G12 for Man4 up to a limit which is achieved at ∼10 copies per BSA molecule, beyond which no further enhancement is observed. Immunization of rabbits with BSA-(Man4)14 elicits significant serum Ab titers to Man4. However, these Abs are unable to bind gp120. Further analysis reveals that the elicited Abs bind a variety of unbranched and, to a lesser extent, branched Man9 derivatives but not natural N-linked oligomannose containing the chitobiose core. These results suggest that Abs can be readily elicited against the D1 arm; however, potential differences in the presentation of Man4 on neoglycoconjugates, compared to glycoproteins, poses challenges for eliciting anti-mannose Abs capable of cross-reacting with gp120 and HIV-1.


2019 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ludy Registre ◽  
Yvetane Moreau ◽  
Sila Toksoz Ataca ◽  
Surya Pulukuri ◽  
Timothy J. Henrich ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT In clinical trials, HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) effectively lower plasma viremia and delay virus reemergence. The presence of less neutralization-susceptible strains prior to treatment decreases the efficacy of these antibody-based treatments, but neutralization sensitivity often cannot be predicted by sequence analysis alone. We found that phenotypically confirmed CXCR4-utilizing strains are less neutralization sensitive, especially to variable loop 3 (V3 loop)-directed bnAbs, than exclusively CCR5-utilizing strains in some, but not all, cases. Homology modeling suggested that the primary V3 loop bnAb epitope is equally accessible among CCR5- and CXCR4-using strains, although variants that exclusively use CXCR4 have V3 loop protrusions that interfere with CCR5 receptor interactions. Homology modeling also showed that among some, but not all, envelopes with decreased neutralization sensitivity, V1 loop orientation interfered with V3 loop-directed bnAb binding. Thus, there are likely different structural reasons for the coreceptor usage restriction and the different bnAb susceptibilities. Importantly, we show that individuals harboring envelopes with higher likelihood of using CXCR4 or greater predicted V1 loop interference have faster virus rebound and a lower maximum decrease in plasma viremia, respectively, after treatment with a V3 loop bnAb. Knowledge of receptor usage and homology models may be useful in developing future algorithms that predict treatment efficacy with V3 loop bnAbs. IMPORTANCE The efficacy of HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibody (bnAb) therapies may be compromised by the preexistence of less susceptible variants. Sequence-based methods are needed to predict pretreatment variants’ neutralization sensitivities. HIV-1 strains that exclusively use the CXCR4 receptor rather than the CCR5 receptor are less neutralization susceptible, especially to variable loop 3 (V3 loop) bnAbs in some, but not all, instances. While the inability to utilize the CCR5 receptor maps to a predicted protrusion in the envelope V3 loop, this viral determinant does not directly influence V3 loop bnAb sensitivity. Homology modeling predicts that contact between the envelope V1 loop and the antibody impacts V3 loop bnAb susceptibility in some cases. Among pretreatment envelopes, increased probability of using CXCR4 and greater predicted V1 interference are associated with faster virus rebound and a smaller decrease in the plasma virus level, respectively, after V3 loop bnAb treatment. Receptor usage information and homology models may be useful for predicting V3 loop bnAb therapy efficacy.


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