scholarly journals Flow Cytometry Analysis of HIV-1 Env Conformations at the Surface of Infected Cells and Virions: Role of Nef, CD4, and SERINC5

2019 ◽  
Vol 94 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabelle Staropoli ◽  
Jérémy Dufloo ◽  
Anaïs Ducher ◽  
Pierre-Henri Commere ◽  
Anna Sartori-Rupp ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The HIV-1 Env protein is exposed at the surface of virions and infected cells. Env fluctuates between different closed and open structural states and these conformations influence both viral infectivity and sensitivity to antibody binding and neutralization. We established a flow virometry assay to visualize Env proteins at the surface of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) virions. The assay is performed on ultracentrifuged fluorescent viral particles that are stained with a panel of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) and nonneutralizing antibodies (nnAbs) that probe different epitopes of Env. We used this assay to compare Env at the surface of producer cells and viral particles and to analyze the effect of Nef, CD4, and SERINC5 on Env accessibility to antibodies. We studied the laboratory-adapted strain NL4-3 and two transmitted/founder viruses, THRO and CH058. We confirm that antibody accessibility varies between viral strains and show that Nef, CD4, and SERINC5 additively impact Env conformations. We further demonstrate that the Env accessibility profile on virions is globally similar to that observed on HIV-1-infected cells, with some noticeable differences. For instance, nnAbs bind to virions more efficiently than to producer cells, likely reflecting changes in Env conformational states on mature viral particles. This test complements other techniques and provides a convenient and simple tool for quantifying and probing the structure of Env at the virion surface and to analyze the impact of viral and cellular proteins on these parameters. IMPORTANCE HIV-1 Env conformation is one of the key parameters determining viral infectivity. The flow virometry-based assay developed in this study allows for the characterization of proteins incorporated in HIV-1 particles. We studied the conformation of HIV-1 Env and the impact that the viral protein Nef and the cellular proteins CD4 and SERINC5 have on Env accessibility to antibodies. Our assay permitted us to highlight some noticeable differences in the conformation of Env between producer cells and viral particles. It contributes to a better understanding of the actual composition of HIV-1 particles.

2009 ◽  
Vol 90 (8) ◽  
pp. 1795-1805 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bizhan Romani ◽  
Susan Engelbrecht

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) viral protein R (Vpr) is an accessory protein that interacts with a number of cellular and viral proteins. The functions of many of these interactions in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 have been identified. Deletion of the vpr gene reduces the virulence of HIV-1 dramatically, indicating the importance of this protein for the virus. This review describes the current findings on several established functions of HIV-1 Vpr and some possible roles proposed for this protein. Because Vpr exploits cellular proteins and pathways to influence the biology of HIV-1, understanding the functions of Vpr usually involves the study of cellular pathways. Several functions of Vpr are attributed to the virion-incorporated protein, but some of them are attributed to the expression of Vpr in HIV-1-infected cells. The structure of Vpr may be key to understanding the variety of its interactions. Due to the critical role of Vpr in HIV-1 pathogenicity, study of the interactions between Vpr and cellular proteins may help us to understand the mechanism(s) of HIV-1 pathogenicity.


2015 ◽  
Vol 89 (23) ◽  
pp. 12118-12130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ferdinand Roesch ◽  
Léa Richard ◽  
Réjane Rua ◽  
Françoise Porrot ◽  
Nicoletta Casartelli ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTThe HIV-1 accessory protein Vpr displays different activities potentially impacting viral replication, including the arrest of the cell cycle in the G2phase and the stimulation of apoptosis and DNA damage response pathways. Vpr also modulates cytokine production by infected cells, but this property remains partly characterized. Here, we investigated the effect of Vpr on the production of the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF). We report that Vpr significantly increases TNF secretion by infected lymphocytes.De novoproduction of Vpr is required for this effect. Vpr mutants known to be defective for G2cell cycle arrest induce lower levels of TNF secretion, suggesting a link between these two functions. Silencing experiments and the use of chemical inhibitors further implicated the cellular proteins DDB1 and TAK1 in this activity of Vpr. TNF secreted by HIV-1-infected cells triggers NF-κB activity in bystander cells and allows viral reactivation in a model of latently infected cells. Thus, the stimulation of the proinflammatory pathway by Vpr may impact HIV-1 replicationin vivo.IMPORTANCEThe role of the HIV-1 accessory protein Vpr remains only partially characterized. This protein is important for viral pathogenesis in infected individuals but is dispensable for viral replication in most cell culture systems. Some of the functions described for Vpr remain controversial. In particular, it remains unclear whether Vpr promotes or instead prevents proinflammatory and antiviral immune responses. In this report, we show that Vpr promotes the release of TNF, a proinflammatory cytokine associated with rapid disease progression. Using Vpr mutants or inhibiting selected cellular genes, we show that the cellular proteins DDB1 and TAK1 are involved in the release of TNF by HIV-infected cells. This report provides novel insights into how Vpr manipulates TNF production and helps clarify the role of Vpr in innate immune responses and inflammation.


2007 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 638-651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Li ◽  
Bradley Cleveland ◽  
Igor Klots ◽  
Bruce Travis ◽  
Barbra A. Richardson ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Glycans on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope protein play an important role in infection and evasion from host immune responses. To examine the role of specific glycans, we introduced single or multiple mutations into potential N-linked glycosylation sites in hypervariable regions (V1 to V3) of the env gene of HIV type 1 (HIV-1) 89.6. Three mutants tested showed enhanced sensitivity to soluble CD4. Mutant N7 (N197Q) in the carboxy-terminal stem of the V2 loop showed the most pronounced increase in sensitivity to broadly neutralizing antibodies (NtAbs), including those targeting the CD4-binding site (IgG1b12) and the V3 loop (447-52D). This mutant is also sensitive to CD4-induced NtAb 17b in the absence of CD4. Unlike the wild-type (WT) Env, mutant N7 mediates CD4-independent infection in U87-CXCR4 cells. To study the immunogenicity of mutant Env, we immunized pig-tailed macaques with recombinant vaccinia viruses, one expressing SIVmac239 Gag-Pol and the other expressing HIV-1 89.6 Env gp160 in WT or mutant forms. Animals were boosted 14 to 16 months later with simian immunodeficiency virus gag DNA and the cognate gp140 protein before intrarectal challenge with SHIV89.6P-MN. Day-of-challenge sera from animals immunized with mutant N7 Env had significantly higher and broader neutralizing activities than sera from WT Env-immunized animals. Neutralizing activity was observed against SHIV89.6, SHIV89.6P-MN, HIV-1 SF162, and a panel of subtype B primary isolates. Compared to control animals, immunized animals showed significant reduction of plasma viral load and increased survival after challenge, which correlated with prechallenge NtAb titers. These results indicate the potential advantages for glycan modification in vaccine design, although the role of specific glycans requires further examination.


2018 ◽  
Vol 92 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ina Fetzer ◽  
Matthew R. Gardner ◽  
Meredith E. Davis-Gardner ◽  
Neha R. Prasad ◽  
Barnett Alfant ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTThe human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) entry inhibitor eCD4-Ig is a fusion of CD4-Ig and a coreceptor-mimetic peptide. eCD4-Ig is markedly more potent than CD4-Ig, with neutralization efficiencies approaching those of HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). However, unlike bNAbs, eCD4-Ig neutralized all HIV-1, HIV-2, and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) isolates that it has been tested against, suggesting that it may be useful in clinical settings, where antibody escape is a concern. Here, we characterize three new eCD4-Ig variants, each with a different architecture and each utilizing D1.22, a stabilized form of CD4 domain 1. These variants were 10- to 20-fold more potent than our original eCD4-Ig variant, with a construct bearing four D1.22 domains (eD1.22-HL-Ig) exhibiting the greatest potency. However, this variant mediated less efficient antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity than eCD4-Ig itself or several other eCD4-Ig variants, including the smallest variant (eD1.22-Ig). A variant with the same architecture as the original eCD4-Ig (eD1.22-D2-Ig) showed modestly higher thermal stability and best prevented the promotion of infection of CCR5-positive, CD4-negative cells. All three variants, and eCD4-Ig itself, mediated more efficient shedding of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 than did CD4-Ig. Finally, we show that only three D1.22 mutations contributed to the potency of eD1.22-D2-Ig and that introduction of these changes into eCD4-Ig resulted in a variant 9-fold more potent than eCD4-Ig and 2-fold more potent than eD1.22-D2-Ig. These studies will assist in developing eCD4-Ig variants with properties optimized for prophylaxis, therapy, and cure applications.IMPORTANCEHIV-1 bNAbs have properties different from those of antiretroviral compounds. Specifically, antibodies can enlist immune effector cells to eliminate infected cells, whereas antiretroviral compounds simply interfere with various steps in the viral life cycle. Unfortunately, HIV-1 is adept at evading antibody recognition, limiting the utility of antibodies as a treatment for HIV-1 infection or as part of an effort to eradicate latently infected cells. eCD4-Ig is an antibody-like entry inhibitor that closely mimics HIV-1's obligate receptors. eCD4-Ig appears to be qualitatively different from antibodies, since it neutralizes all HIV-1, HIV-2, and SIV isolates. Here, we characterize three new structurally distinct eCD4-Ig variants and show that each excels in a key property useful to prevent, treat, or cure an HIV-1 infection. For example, one variant neutralized HIV-1 most efficiently, while others best enlisted natural killer cells to eliminate infected cells. These observations will help generate eCD4-Ig variants optimized for different clinical applications.


2002 ◽  
Vol 76 (22) ◽  
pp. 11245-11253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa K. Hill ◽  
Miranda Shehu-Xhilaga ◽  
Suzanne M. Crowe ◽  
Johnson Mak

ABSTRACT The full-length human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) mRNA encodes two precursor polyproteins, Gag and GagProPol. An infrequent ribosomal frameshifting event allows these proteins to be synthesized from the same mRNA in a predetermined ratio of 20 Gag proteins for each GagProPol. The RNA frameshift signal consists of a slippery sequence and a hairpin stem-loop whose thermodynamic stability has been shown in in vitro translation systems to be critical to frameshifting efficiency. In this study we examined the frameshift region of HIV-1, investigating the effects of altering stem-loop stability in the context of the complete viral genome and assessing the role of the Gag spacer peptide p1 and the GagProPol transframe (TF) protein that are encoded in this region. By creating a series of frameshift region mutants that systematically altered the stability of the frameshift stem-loop and the protein sequences of the p1 spacer peptide and TF protein, we have demonstrated the importance of stem-loop thermodynamic stability in frameshifting efficiency and viral infectivity. Multiple changes to the amino acid sequence of p1 resulted in altered protein processing, reduced genomic RNA dimer stability, and abolished viral infectivity. The role of the two highly conserved proline residues in p1 (position 7 and 13) was also investigated. Replacement of the two proline residues by leucines resulted in mutants with altered protein processing and reduced genomic RNA dimer stability that were also noninfectious. The unique ability of proline to confer conformational constraints on a peptide suggests that the correct folding of p1 may be important for viral function.


2015 ◽  
Vol 90 (6) ◽  
pp. 2884-2894 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eden P. Go ◽  
Albert Cupo ◽  
Rajesh Ringe ◽  
Pavel Pugach ◽  
John P. Moore ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTWe investigated whether there is any association between a native-like conformation and the presence of only the canonical (i.e., native) disulfide bonds in the gp120 subunits of a soluble recombinant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope (Env) glycoprotein. We used a mass spectrometry (MS)-based method to map the disulfide bonds present in nonnative uncleaved gp140 proteins and native-like SOSIP.664 trimers based on the BG505envgene. Our results show that uncleaved gp140 proteins were not homogeneous, in that substantial subpopulations (20 to 80%) contained aberrant disulfide bonds. In contrast, the gp120 subunits of the native-like SOSIP.664 trimer almost exclusively retained the canonical disulfide bond pattern. We also observed that the purification method could influence the proportion of an Env protein population that contained aberrant disulfide bonds. We infer that gp140 proteins may always contain a variable but substantial proportion of aberrant disulfide bonds but that the impact of this problem can be minimized via design and/or purification strategies that yield native-like trimers. The same factors may also be relevant to the production and purification of monomeric gp120 proteins that are free of aberrant disulfide bonds.IMPORTANCEIt is widely thought that a successful HIV-1 vaccine will include a recombinant form of the Env protein, a trimer located on the virion surface. To increase yield and simplify purification, Env proteins are often made in truncated, soluble forms. A consequence, however, can be the loss of the native conformation concomitant with the virion-associated trimer. Moreover, some soluble recombinant Env proteins contain aberrant disulfide bonds that are not expected to be present in the native trimer. To assess whether these observations are linked, to determine the extent of disulfide bond scrambling, and to understand why scrambling occurs, we determined the disulfide bond profiles of two soluble Env proteins with different designs that are being assessed as vaccine candidates. We found that uncleaved gp140 forms heterogeneous mixtures in which aberrant disulfide bonds abound. In contrast, BG505 SOSIP.664 trimers are more homogeneous, native-like entities that contain predominantly the native disulfide bond profile.


2008 ◽  
Vol 82 (21) ◽  
pp. 10811-10819 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimo Pizzato ◽  
Elena Popova ◽  
Heinrich G. Göttlinger

ABSTRACT Nef is an accessory protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) that enhances the infectivity of progeny virions when expressed in virus-producing cells. The requirement for Nef for optimal infectivity is, at least in part, determined by the envelope (Env) glycoprotein, because it can be eliminated by pseudotyping HIV-1 particles with pH-dependent Env proteins. To investigate the role of Env in the function of Nef, we have examined the effect of Nef on the infectivity of Env-deficient HIV-1 particles pseudotyped with viral receptors for cells expressing cognate Env proteins. We found that Nef significantly enhances the infectivity of CD4-chemokine receptor pseudotypes for cells expressing HIV-1 Env. Nef also increased the infectivity of HIV-1 particles pseudotyped with Tva, the receptor for subgroup A Rous sarcoma virus (RSV-A), even though Nef had no effect if the pH-dependent Env protein of RSV-A was used for pseudotyping. However, Nef does not always enhance viral infectivity if the normal orientation of the Env-receptor interaction is reversed, because the entry of Env-deficient HIV-1 into cells expressing the vesicular stomatitis virus G protein was unaffected by Nef. Together, our results demonstrate that the presence of a viral Env protein during virus production is not required for the ability of Nef to increase viral infectivity. Furthermore, since the infectivity of Tva pseudotypes was blocked by inhibitors of endosomal acidification, we conclude that low-pH-dependent entry does not always bypass the requirement for Nef.


2017 ◽  
Vol 91 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph H. Fellinger ◽  
Matthew R. Gardner ◽  
Charles C. Bailey ◽  
Michael Farzan

ABSTRACT Rhesus macaques are used to model human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infections, but they are not natural hosts of HIV-1 or any simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). Rather, they became infected with SIV through cross-species transfer from sooty mangabeys in captivity. It has been shown that HIV-1 utilizes rhesus CD4 less efficiently than human CD4. However, the relative ability of SIV envelope glycoproteins to bind or utilize these CD4 orthologs has not been reported. Here we show that several SIV isolates, including SIVmac239, are more efficiently neutralized by human CD4-Ig (huCD4-Ig) than by the same molecule bearing rhesus CD4 domains 1 and 2 (rhCD4-Ig). An I39N mutation in CD4 domain 1, present in human and sooty mangabey CD4 orthologs, largely restored rhCD4-Ig neutralization of SIVmac239 and other SIV isolates. We further observed that SIVmac316, a derivative of SIVmac239, bound to and was neutralized by huCD4-Ig and rhCD4-Ig with nearly identical efficiencies. Introduction of two SIVmac316 CD4-binding site residues (G382R and H442Y) into the SIVmac239 envelope glycoprotein (Env) markedly increased its neutralization sensitivity to rhesus CD4-Ig without altering neutralization by human CD4-Ig, SIV neutralizing antibodies, or sera from SIV-infected macaques. These changes also allowed SIVmac239 Env to bind rhCD4-Ig more efficiently than huCD4-Ig. The variant with G382R and H442Y (G382R/H442Y variant) also infected cells expressing rhesus CD4 with markedly greater efficiency than did unaltered SIVmac239 Env. We propose that infections of rhesus macaques with SIVmac239 G382R/H442Y might better model some aspects of human infections. IMPORTANCE Rhesus macaque infection with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) has served as an important model of human HIV-1 infection. However, differences between this model and the human case have complicated the development of vaccines and therapies. Here we report the surprising observation that SIVmac239, a commonly used model virus, more efficiently utilizes human CD4 than the CD4 of rhesus macaques, whereas the closely related virus SIVmac316 uses both CD4 orthologs equally well. We used this insight to generate a form of SIVmac239 envelope glycoprotein (Env) that utilized rhesus CD4 more efficiently, while retaining its resistance to antibodies and sera from infected macaques. This Env can be used to make the rhesus model more similar in some ways to human infection, for example by facilitating infection of cells with low levels of CD4. This property may be especially important to efforts to eradicate latently infected cells.


2008 ◽  
Vol 82 (24) ◽  
pp. 12094-12103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine A. Blish ◽  
Ozge C. Dogan ◽  
Nina R. Derby ◽  
Minh-An Nguyen ◽  
Bhavna Chohan ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Superinfection by a second human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) strain indicates that gaps in protective immunity occur during natural infection. To define the role of HIV-1-specific neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) in this setting, we examined NAb responses in 6 women who became superinfected between ∼1 to 5 years following initial infection compared to 18 women with similar risk factors who did not. Although superinfected individuals had less NAb breadth than matched controls at ∼1 year postinfection, no significant differences in the breadth or potency of NAb responses were observed just prior to the second infection. In fact, four of the six subjects had relatively broad and potent NAb responses prior to infection by the second strain. To more specifically examine the specificity of the NAbs against the superinfecting virus, these variants were cloned from five of the six individuals. The superinfecting variants did not appear to be inherently neutralization resistant, as measured against a pool of plasma from unrelated HIV-infected individuals. Moreover, the superinfected individuals were able to mount autologous NAb responses to these variants following reinfection. In addition, most superinfected individuals had NAbs that could neutralize their second viral strains prior to their reinfection, suggesting that the level of NAbs elicited during natural infection was not sufficient to block infection. These data indicate that preventing infection by vaccination will likely require broader and more potent NAb responses than those found in HIV-1-infected individuals.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1934578X1984919
Author(s):  
Ywh-Min Tzou ◽  
Ronald Shin ◽  
N. Rama Krishna

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1 virus) exploits several host factors for assembly, infection, and replication within the infected cells. In this work, we describe the evidence for an interaction of the N-terminal domain of the HIV-1 capsid protein with human calmodulin. The precise role of this interaction within the life cycle of the HIV-1 virus is yet to be defined. Potential roles for this interaction in the viral capsid uncoating are discussed.


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