HIV-1 trans-Infection Mediated by DCs: The Tip of the Iceberg of Cell-to-Cell Viral Transmission

HIV-1 cell-to-cell transmission is key for an effective viral replication that evades immunity. This highly infectious mechanism is orchestrated by different cellular targets that utilize a wide variety of processes to efficiently transfer HIV-1 particles. Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent antigen presenting cells that initiate antiviral immune responses, but are also the cells with highest capacity to transfer HIV-1. This mechanism, known as trans-infection, relies on the capacity of DCs to capture HIV-1 particles via lectin receptors such as the sialic acid-binding I-type lectin Siglec-1/CD169. The discovery of the molecular interaction of Siglec-1 with sialylated lipids exposed on HIV-1 membranes has enlightened how this receptor can bind to several enveloped viruses. The outcome of these interactions can either mount effective immune responses, boost the productive infection of DCs and favour innate sensing, or fuel viral transmission via trans-infection. Here we review these scenarios focusing on HIV-1 and other enveloped viruses such as Ebola virus or SARS-CoV-2.

Native CGRP Neuropeptide and Its Stable Analogue SAX, But Not CGRP Peptide Fragments, Inhibit Mucosal HIV-1 Transmission

BackgroundThe vasodilator neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) plays both detrimental and protective roles in different pathologies. CGRP is also an essential component of the neuro-immune dialogue between nociceptors and mucosal immune cells. We previously discovered that CGRP is endowed with anti-viral activity and strongly inhibits human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection, by suppressing Langerhans cells (LCs)-mediated HIV-1 trans-infection in-vitro and mucosal HIV-1 transmission ex-vivo. This inhibition is mediated via activation of the CGRP receptor non-canonical NFκB/STAT4 signaling pathway that induces a variety of cooperative mechanisms. These include CGRP-mediated increase in the expression of the LC-specific pathogen recognition C-type lectin langerin and decrease in LC-T-cell conjugates formation. The clinical utility of CGRP and modalities of CGRP receptor activation, for inhibition of mucosal HIV-1 transmission, remain elusive.MethodsWe tested the capacity of CGRP to inhibit HIV-1 infection in-vivo in humanized mice. We further compared the anti-HIV-1 activities of full-length native CGRP, its metabolically stable analogue SAX, and several CGRP peptide fragments containing its binding C-terminal and activating N-terminal regions. These agonists were evaluated for their capacity to inhibit LCs-mediated HIV-1 trans-infection in-vitro and mucosal HIV-1 transmission in human mucosal tissues ex-vivo.ResultsA single CGRP intravaginal topical treatment of humanized mice, followed by HIV-1 vaginal challenge, transiently restricts the increase in HIV-1 plasma viral loads but maintains long-lasting higher CD4+ T-cell counts. Similarly to CGRP, SAX inhibits LCs-mediated HIV-1 trans-infection in-vitro, but with lower potency. This inhibition is mediated via CGRP receptor activation, leading to increased expression of both langerin and STAT4 in LCs. In contrast, several N-terminal and N+C-terminal bivalent CGRP peptide fragments fail to increase langerin and STAT4, and accordingly lack anti-HIV-1 activities. Finally, like CGRP, treatment of human inner foreskin tissue explants with SAX, followed by polarized inoculation with cell-associated HIV-1, completely blocks formation of LC-T-cell conjugates and HIV-1 infection of T-cells.ConclusionOur results show that CGRP receptor activation by full-length CGRP or SAX is required for efficient inhibition of LCs-mediated mucosal HIV-1 transmission. These findings suggest that formulations containing CGRP, SAX and/or their optimized agonists/analogues could be harnessed for HIV-1 prevention.

Roles of Virion-Incorporated CD162 (PSGL-1), CD43, and CD44 in HIV-1 Infection of T Cells

Nascent HIV-1 particles incorporate the viral envelope glycoprotein and multiple host transmembrane proteins during assembly at the plasma membrane. At least some of these host transmembrane proteins on the surface of virions are reported as pro-viral factors that enhance virus attachment to target cells or facilitate trans-infection of CD4+ T cells via interactions with non-T cells. In addition to the pro-viral factors, anti-viral transmembrane proteins are incorporated into progeny virions. These virion-incorporated transmembrane proteins inhibit HIV-1 entry at the point of attachment and fusion. In infected polarized CD4+ T cells, HIV-1 Gag localizes to a rear-end protrusion known as the uropod. Regardless of cell polarization, Gag colocalizes with and promotes the virion incorporation of a subset of uropod-directed host transmembrane proteins, including CD162, CD43, and CD44. Until recently, the functions of these virion-incorporated proteins had not been clear. Here, we review the recent findings about the roles played by virion-incorporated CD162, CD43, and CD44 in HIV-1 spread to CD4+ T cells.

The P-selectin ligand PSGL-1 (CD162) is efficiently incorporated by primary HIV-1 isolates and can facilitate trans-infection

While P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1/CD162) has been studied extensively for its role in mediating leukocyte rolling through interactions with its receptor, P-selectin, recently, it was identified as a novel HIV-1 host restriction factor. One key mechanism of HIV-1 restriction is the ability of PSGL-1 to be physically incorporated into the external viral envelope, which effectively reduces infectivity by blocking virus attachment through the steric hindrance caused by its large ectodomain. Importantly, a large portion of the literature demonstrating the antiviral activity of PSGL-1 has utilized viruses produced in transfected cells which express high levels of PSGL-1. However, herein we show that virion-incorporated PSGL-1 is far less abundant on the surface of viruses produced via infection of physiologically relevant models (T cell lines and primary cells) compared to transfection (overexpression) models. Unique to this study, we show that PSGL-1 is incorporated in a broad range of HIV-1 and SIV isolates, supporting the physiological relevance of this incorporation. We also report that high levels of virion-incorporated PSGL-1 are detectable in plasma from viremic HIV-1 infected individuals, further corroborating the clinical relevance of PSGL-1 in natural infection. Additionally, we show that PSGL-1 on viruses is functionally active and can bind its cognate receptor, P-selectin, and that virions captured via P-selectin can subsequently be transferred to HIV-permissive bystander cells in a model of trans-infection. Taken together, our data suggest that PSGL-1 may have diverse roles in the physiology of HIV-1 infection, not restricted to the current antiviral paradigm.

DC/L-SIGN recognition of spike glycoprotein promotes SARS-CoV-2 trans-infection and can be inhibited by a glycomimetic antagonist

The efficient spread of SARS-CoV-2 resulted in a unique pandemic in modern history. Despite early identification of ACE2 as the receptor for viral spike protein, much remains to be understood about the molecular events behind viral dissemination. We evaluated the contribution of C-type lectin receptors (CLRS) of antigen-presenting cells, widely present in respiratory mucosa and lung tissue. DC-SIGN, L-SIGN, Langerin and MGL bind to diverse glycans of the spike using multiple interaction areas. Using pseudovirus and cells derived from monocytes or T-lymphocytes, we demonstrate that while virus capture by the CLRs examined does not allow direct cell infection, DC/L-SIGN, among these receptors, promote virus transfer to permissive ACE2+ Vero E6 cells. A glycomimetic compound designed against DC-SIGN, enable inhibition of this process. These data have been then confirmed using authentic SARS-CoV-2 virus and human respiratory cell lines. Thus, we described a mechanism potentiating viral spreading of infection.

Siglec-1 on dendritic cells mediates SARS-CoV-2 trans-infection of target cells while on macrophages triggers proinflammatory responses

COVID-19 pandemic is not yet under control by vaccination, and effective antivirals are critical for preparedness. Here we report that macrophages and dendritic cells, key antigen presenting myeloid cells (APCs), are largely resistant to SARS-CoV-2 infection. APCs effectively captured viruses within cellular compartments that lead to antigen degradation. Macrophages sense SARS-CoV-2 and released higher levels of cytokines, including those related to cytokine storm in severe COVID-19. The sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin 1 (Siglec-1/CD169) present on APCs, which interacts with sialylated gangliosides on membranes of retroviruses or filoviruses, also binds SARS-CoV-2 via GM1. Blockage of Siglec-1 receptors by monoclonal antibodies reduces SARS-CoV-2 uptake and transfer to susceptible target cells. APCs expressing Siglec-1 and carrying SARS-CoV-2 are found in pulmonary tissues of non-human primates. Single cell analysis reveals the in vivo induction of cytokines in those macrophages. Targeting Siglec-1 could offer cross-protection against SARS-CoV-2 and other enveloped viruses that exploit APCs for viral dissemination, including those yet to come in future outbreaks.

Vaginal Epithelium Transiently Harbours HIV-1 Facilitating Transmission

Vaginal transmission accounts for majority of newly acquired HIV infections worldwide. Initial events that transpire post-viral binding to vaginal epithelium leading to productive infection in the female reproductive tract are not well elucidated. Here, we examined the interaction of HIV-1 with vaginal epithelial cells (VEC) using Vk2/E6E7, an established cell line exhibiting an HIV-binding receptor phenotype (CD4-CCR5-CD206+) similar to primary cells. We observed rapid viral sequestration, as a metabolically active process that was dose-dependent. Sequestered virus demonstrated monophasic decay after 6 hours with a half-life of 22.435 hours, though residual virus was detectable 48 hours’ post-exposure. Viral uptake was not followed by successful reverse transcription and thus productive infection in VEC unlike activated PBMCs. Intraepithelial virus was infectious as evidenced by infection in trans of PHA-p stimulated PBMCs on co-culture. Trans-infection efficiency, however, deteriorated with time, concordant with viral retention kinetics, as peak levels of sequestered virus coincided with maximum viral output of co-cultivated PBMCs. Further, blocking lymphocyte receptor function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) expressed on PBMCs significantly inhibited trans-infection suggesting that cell-to-cell spread of HIV from epithelium to target cells was LFA-1 mediated. In addition to stimulated PBMCs, we also demonstrated infection in trans of FACS sorted CD4+ T lymphocyte subsets expressing co-receptors CCR5 and CXCR4. These included, for the first time, potentially gut homing CD4+ T cell subsets co-expressing integrin α4β7 and CCR5. Our study thus delineates a hitherto unexplored role for the vaginal epithelium as a transient viral reservoir enabling infection of susceptible cell types.

Capsaicin activates TRPV1 in human Langerhans cells and inhibits mucosal HIV-1 transmission via secreted CGRP

Upon its mucosal transmission, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) rapidly targets resident antigen-presenting Langerhans cells (LCs) in genital epithelia, which subsequently trans-infect CD4+ T-cells. We previously described an inhibitory neuro-immune sensory mucosal crosstalk, whereby peripheral pain-sensing nociceptor neurons, innervating all mucosal epithelia and associating with LCs, secret the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) that strongly inhibits HIV-1 trans-infection. Moreover, we reported that LCs secret low levels of CGRP that are further increased by CGRP itself via an autocrine/paracrine mechanism. As nociceptors secret CGRP following activation of their Ca2+ ion channel transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), we investigated whether LCs also express functional TRPV1. We found that human LCs expressed TRPV1 mRNA and protein. TRPV1 in LCs was functional, as the TRPV1 agonists capsaicin (CP) and resiniferatoxin (RTX) induced Ca2+ influx in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment of LCs with CP and the TRPV1 agonist rutaecarpine (Rut) increased CGRP secretion, reaching concentrations close to its IC50 for inhibition of HIV-1 trans-infection. Accordingly, CP significantly inhibited HIV-1 trans-infection, which was abrogated by antagonists of both TRPV1 and the CGRP receptor. Finally, pre-treatment of inner foreskin tissue explants with CP markedly increased CGRP secretion, and upon subsequent polarized exposure to HIV-1, inhibited increase in LC-T-cell conjugate formation and T-cell infection. Together, our results reveal that alike nociceptors, LCs express functional TRPV1, whose activation induces CGRP secretion that inhibits mucosal HIV-1 transmission. Our studies could permit re-positioning of formulations containing TRPV1 agonists, already approved for pain relief, as novel topical microbicides against HIV-1.Significance StatementUpon its sexual transmission, HIV-1 targets different types of mucosal immune cells, such as antigen-presenting Langerhans cells (LCs). In turn, LCs transfer HIV-1 to its principal cellular targets, namely CD4+ T-cells, in a process termed trans-infection. We previously discovered that the mucosal neuropeptide CGRP strongly inhibits trans-infection. CGRP is principally secreted from pain-sensing peripheral neurons termed nociceptors, once activated via their TRPV1 ion channel. Herein, we reveal that LCs also express functional TRPV1, whose activation induces secretion of CGRP that inhibits mucosal HIV-1 transmission. Accordingly, molecules activating TRPV1 and inducing CGRP secretion could be used to prevent mucosal HIV-1 transmission. This approach represents an original neuro-immune strategy to fight HIV-1.