Quaternary Interaction of the HIV-1 Envelope Trimer with CD4 and Neutralizing Antibodies

The entry of HIV-1 into host cells is initiated by the interaction of the viral envelope (Env) spike with the CD4 receptor. During this process, the spike undergoes a series of conformational changes that eventually lead to the exposure of the fusion peptide located at the N-terminus of the transmembrane glycoprotein, gp41. Recent structural and functional studies have provided important insights into the interaction of Env with CD4 at various stages. However, a fine elucidation of the earliest events of CD4 contact and its immediate effect on the Env conformation remains a challenge for investigation. Here, we summarize the discovery of the quaternary nature of the CD4-binding site in the HIV-1 Env and the role of quaternary contact in the functional interaction with the CD4 receptor. We propose two models for this initial contact based on the current knowledge and discuss how a better understanding of the quaternary interaction may lead to improved immunogens and antibodies targeting the CD4-binding site.

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Mechanism of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Resistance to Monoclonal Antibody b12 That Effectively Targets the Site of CD4 Attachment

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.01142-09 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 83 (21) ◽

pp. 10892-10907 ◽

Cited By ~ 77

Author(s):

Xueling Wu ◽

Tongqing Zhou ◽

Sijy O'Dell ◽

Richard T. Wyatt ◽

Peter D. Kwong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Monoclonal Antibody ◽

Binding Site ◽

Contact Surface ◽

Neutralizing Antibodies ◽

Viral Envelope ◽

Contact Sites ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Cd4 Binding Site ◽

Hiv 1

ABSTRACT The region of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein gp120 that engages its primary cellular receptor CD4 forms a site of vulnerability to neutralizing antibodies. The monoclonal antibody b12 exploits the conservation and accessibility of the CD4-binding site to neutralize many, though not all, HIV-1 isolates. To understand the basis of viral resistance to b12, we used the atomic-level definition of b12-gp120 contact sites to study a panel of diverse circulating viruses. A combination of sequence analysis, computational modeling, and site-directed mutagenesis was used to determine the influence of amino acid variants on binding and neutralization by b12. We found that several substitutions within the dominant b12 contact surface, called the CD4-binding loop, mediated b12 resistance, and that these substitutions resided just proximal to the known CD4 contact surface. Hence, viruses varied in key b12 contact residues that are proximal to, but not part of, the CD4 contact surface. This explained how viral isolates were able to evade b12 neutralization while maintaining functional binding to CD4. In addition, some viruses were resistant to b12 despite minimal sequence variation at b12 contact sites. Such neutralization resistance usually could be reversed by alterations at residues thought to influence the quaternary configuration of the viral envelope spike. To design immunogens that elicit neutralizing antibodies directed to the CD4-binding site, researchers need to address the antigenic variation within this region of gp120 and the restricted access to the CD4-binding site imposed by the native configuration of the trimeric viral envelope spike.

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Neutralization Properties of Simian Immunodeficiency Viruses Infecting Chimpanzees and Gorillas

mBio ◽

10.1128/mbio.00296-15 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Hannah J. Barbian ◽

Julie M. Decker ◽

Frederic Bibollet-Ruche ◽

Rachel P. Galimidi ◽

Anthony P. West ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

Binding Site ◽

Pan Troglodytes ◽

Neutralizing Antibodies ◽

Gorilla Gorilla ◽

Protective Capacity ◽

Content Type ◽

Ccr5 Receptor ◽

Cd4 Binding Site ◽

Hiv 1

ABSTRACTBroadly cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies (bNabs) represent powerful tools to combat human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. Here, we examined whether HIV-1-specific bNabs are capable of cross-neutralizing distantly related simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs) infecting central (Pan troglodytestroglodytes) (SIVcpzPtt) and eastern (Pan troglodytesschweinfurthii) (SIVcpzPts) chimpanzees (n= 11) as well as western gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) (SIVgor) (n= 1). We found that bNabs directed against the CD4 binding site (n= 10), peptidoglycans at the base of variable loop 3 (V3) (n= 5), and epitopes at the interface of surface (gp120) and membrane-bound (gp41) envelope glycoproteins (n= 5) failed to neutralize SIVcpz and SIVgor strains. In addition, apex V2-directed bNabs (n= 3) as well as llama-derived (heavy chain only) antibodies (n= 6) recognizing both the CD4 binding site and gp41 epitopes were either completely inactive or neutralized only a fraction of SIVcpzPttstrains. In contrast, one antibody targeting the membrane-proximal external region (MPER) of gp41 (10E8), functional CD4 and CCR5 receptor mimetics (eCD4-Ig, eCD4-Igmim2, CD4-218.3-E51, and CD4-218.3-E51-mim2), as well as mono- and bispecific anti-human CD4 (iMab and LM52) and CCR5 (PRO140, PRO140-10E8) receptor antibodies neutralized >90% of SIVcpz and SIVgor strains with low-nanomolar (0.13 to 8.4 nM) potency. Importantly, the latter antibodies blocked virus entry not only in TZM-bl cells but also in Cf2Th cells expressing chimpanzee CD4 and CCR5 and neutralized SIVcpz in chimpanzee CD4+T cells, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) ranging from 3.6 to 40.5 nM. These findings provide new insight into the protective capacity of anti-HIV-1 bNabs and identify candidates for further development to combat SIVcpz infection.IMPORTANCESIVcpz is widespread in wild-living chimpanzees and can cause AIDS-like immunopathology and clinical disease. HIV-1 infection of humans can be controlled by antiretroviral therapy; however, treatment of wild-living African apes with current drug regimens is not feasible. Nonetheless, it may be possible to curb the spread of SIVcpz in select ape communities using vectored immunoprophylaxis and/or therapy. Here, we show that antibodies and antibody-like inhibitors developed to combat HIV-1 infection in humans are capable of neutralizing genetically diverse SIVcpz and SIVgor strains with considerable breadth and potency, including in primary chimpanzee CD4+T cells. These reagents provide an important first step toward translating intervention strategies currently developed to treat and prevent AIDS in humans to SIV-infected apes.

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Broad neutralization by a combination of antibodies recognizing the CD4 binding site and a new conformational epitope on the HIV-1 envelope protein

Journal of Experimental Medicine ◽

10.1084/jem.20120423 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 209 (8) ◽

pp. 1469-1479 ◽

Cited By ~ 123

Author(s):

Florian Klein ◽

Christian Gaebler ◽

Hugo Mouquet ◽

D. Noah Sather ◽

Clara Lehmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Binding Site ◽

Envelope Protein ◽

Neutralizing Antibodies ◽

Conformational Epitope ◽

Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies ◽

Cd4 Binding Site ◽

Capture Method ◽

Anti Hiv ◽

Hiv 1 ◽

Viral Isolates

Two to three years after infection, a fraction of HIV-1–infected individuals develop serologic activity that neutralizes most viral isolates. Broadly neutralizing antibodies that recognize the HIV-1 envelope protein have been isolated from these patients by single-cell sorting and by neutralization screens. Here, we report a new method for anti–HIV-1 antibody isolation based on capturing single B cells that recognize the HIV-1 envelope protein expressed on the surface of transfected cells. Although far less efficient than soluble protein baits, the cell-based capture method identified antibodies that bind to a new broadly neutralizing epitope in the vicinity of the V3 loop and the CD4-induced site (CD4i). The new epitope is expressed on the cell surface form of the HIV-1 spike, but not on soluble forms of the same envelope protein. Moreover, the new antibodies complement the neutralization spectrum of potent broadly neutralizing anti-CD4 binding site (CD4bs) antibodies obtained from the same individual. Thus, combinations of potent broadly neutralizing antibodies with complementary activity can account for the breadth and potency of naturally arising anti–HIV-1 serologic activity. Therefore, vaccines aimed at eliciting anti–HIV-1 serologic breadth and potency should not be limited to single epitopes.

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Selection Pressure on HIV-1 Envelope by Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies to the Conserved CD4-Binding Site

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.07139-11 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 86 (10) ◽

pp. 5844-5856 ◽

Cited By ~ 60

Author(s):

X. Wu ◽

C. Wang ◽

S. O'Dell ◽

Y. Li ◽

B. F. Keele ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Binding Site ◽

Neutralizing Antibodies ◽

Selection Pressure ◽

Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies ◽

Cd4 Binding Site ◽

Hiv 1

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Elicitation of HIV-1-neutralizing antibodies against the CD4-binding site

Current Opinion in HIV and AIDS ◽

10.1097/coh.0b013e328363a90e ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 8 (5) ◽

pp. 382-392 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Ivelin S. Georgiev ◽

M. Gordon Joyce ◽

Tongqing Zhou ◽

Peter D. Kwong

Keyword(s):

Binding Site ◽

Neutralizing Antibodies ◽

Cd4 Binding Site ◽

Hiv 1

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Structural Basis of CD4 Downregulation by HIV-1 Nef

10.1101/2020.04.21.054007 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yonghwa Kwon ◽

Robyn Kaake ◽

Ignacia Echeverria ◽

Marissa Suarez ◽

Charlotte Stoneham ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Conformational Changes ◽

Viral Entry ◽

Neutralizing Antibodies ◽

Immune Surveillance ◽

Underlying Mechanism ◽

Host Cells ◽

Structural Basis ◽

Viral Glycoprotein ◽

Class I Mhc ◽

Hiv 1

The HIV-1 protein Nef suppresses multiple immune surveillance mechanisms to promote viral pathogenesis1. Individuals infected with HIV-1 encoding defective nef genes do not develop AIDS for decades2,3. A key target of Nef is the cellular receptor CD4. Although essential for viral entry into host cells, CD4 is problematic for the virus later in its replication cycle: CD4 disrupts processing of the viral glycoprotein, Env, inhibiting infectivity4; it interferes with the release of new virions5,6; and it causes vulnerability to superinfection, causing premature cell death and limiting viral productivity7. Furthermore, binding of CD4 to Env exposes otherwise-concealed Env epitopes, rendering infected cells more susceptible to antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and virus particles more susceptible to neutralizing antibodies8-10. HIV-1 has evolved strategies to mitigate these problems. Newly synthesized CD4 is targeted in the endoplasmic reticulum by the viral Vpu protein for proteasomal degradation11. Surface-expressed CD4, in contrast, is targeted by Nef for endocytosis and lysosomal degradation12-15. Nef’s effect on CD4 involves hijacking of clathrin adaptor complex 2 (AP2)-dependent endocytosis16,17. Although how Nef associates with a part of the tetrameric AP2 is understood18, a complete understanding of the interaction, especially how CD4 is sequestered by Nef into a complex with AP2, has remained elusive. Here, we present a high-resolution crystal structure that describes the underlying mechanism. An intricate combination of conformational changes occurs in both Nef and AP2 to enable CD4 binding and downregulation. Strikingly, a pocket on Nef previously identified as crucial for recruiting class I MHC is also responsible for recruiting CD4, revealing a potential approach to inhibit two of Nef’s activities and sensitize the virus to immune clearance

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V3-specific neutralizing antibodies in sera from HIV-1 gp160-immunized volunteers block virus fusion and act synergistically with human monoclonal antibody to the conformation-dependent CD4 binding site of gp120. NIH-NIAID AIDS Vaccine Clinical Trials Network.

Journal of Clinical Investigation ◽

10.1172/jci116658 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 92 (2) ◽

pp. 840-847 ◽

Cited By ~ 43

Author(s):

D C Montefiori ◽

B S Graham ◽

J Zhou ◽

R A Bucco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Monoclonal Antibody ◽

Clinical Trials ◽

Binding Site ◽

Neutralizing Antibodies ◽

Human Monoclonal Antibody ◽

Aids Vaccine ◽

Virus Fusion ◽

Cd4 Binding Site ◽

Hiv 1

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Neutralizing antibodies induced in immunized macaques recognize the CD4-binding site on an occluded-open HIV-1 envelope trimer

10.1101/2021.11.02.466200 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Zhi Yang ◽

Kim-Marie A. Dam ◽

Michael D. Bridges ◽

Magnus A.G. Hoffmann ◽

Andrew T. DeLaitsch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Binding Site ◽

Neutralizing Antibodies ◽

Resonance Spectroscopy ◽

Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies ◽

Receptor Binding Site ◽

Double Electron ◽

Immunogen Design ◽

Cd4 Binding Site ◽

Double Electron Electron Resonance ◽

Hiv 1

Broadly-neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) against HIV-1 Env can protect from infection. We characterized Ab1303 and Ab1573, neutralizing CD4-binding site (CD4bs) antibodies, isolated from sequentially-immunized macaques. Ab1303/Ab1573 binding was observed only when Env trimers were not constrained in the closed, prefusion conformation. Fab-Env cryo-EM structures showed that both antibodies recognized the CD4bs on Env trimer with an occluded-open conformation between closed, as targeted by bNAbs, and fully-open, as recognized by CD4. The occluded-open Env trimer conformation included outwardly-rotated gp120 subunits, but unlike CD4-bound Envs, did not exhibit V1V2 displacement, co-receptor binding site exposure, or a 4-stranded gp120 bridging sheet. Inter-protomer distances within trimers measured by double electron-electron resonance spectroscopy suggested an equilibrium between occluded-open and closed Env conformations, consistent with Ab1303/Ab1573 binding stabilizing an existing conformation. Studies of Ab1303/Ab1573 demonstrate that CD4bs neutralizing antibodies that bind open Env trimers can be raised by immunization, thereby informing immunogen design and antibody therapeutic efforts.

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