Characterization of a human immunodeficiency virus neutralizing monoclonal antibody and mapping of the neutralizing epitope.

A monoclonal antibody was produced to the exterior envelope glycoprotein (gp120) of the human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV)-IIIB isolate of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This antibody binds to gp120 of HTLV-IIIB and lymphadenopathy-associated virus type 1 (LAV-1) and to the surface of HTLV-IIIB- and LAV-1-infected cells, neutralizes infection by cell-free virus, and prevents fusion of virus-infected cells. In contrast, it does not bind, or weakly binds, the envelope of four heterologous HIV isolates and does not neutralize heterologous isolates HTLV-IIIRF and HTLV-IIIMN. The antibody-binding site was mapped to a 24-amino-acid segment, using recombinant and synthetic segments of HTLV-IIIB gp120. This site is within a segment of amino acid variability known to contain the major neutralizing epitopes (S. D. Putney, T. J. Matthews, W. G. Robey, D. L. Lynn, M. Robert-Guroff, W. T. Mueller, A. J. Langlois, J. Ghrayeb, S. R. Petteway, K. J. Weinhold, P. J. Fischinger, F. Wong-Staal, R. C. Gallo, and D. P. Bolognesi, Science 234:1392-1395, 1986). These results localize an epitope of HIV type-specific neutralization and suggest that neutralizing antibodies may be effective in controlling cell-associated, as well as cell-free, virus infection.     

The mannose-dependent epitope for neutralizing antibody 2G12 on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 glycoprotein gp120

We have analyzed the unique epitope for the broadly neutralizing human monoclonal antibody (MAb) 2G12 on the gp120 surface glycoprotein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Sequence analysis, focusing on the conservation of relevant residues across multiple HIV-1 isolates, refined the epitope that was defined previously by substitutional mutagenesis (A. Trkola, M. Purtscher, T. Muster, C. Ballaun, A. Buchacher, N. Sullivan, K. Srinivasan, J. Sodroski, J. P. Moore, and H. Katinger, J. Virol. 70:1100-1108, 1996). In a biochemical study, we digested recombinant gp120 with various glycosidase enzymes of known specificities and showed that the 2G12 epitope is lost when gp120 is treated with mannosidases. Computational analyses were used to position the epitope in the context of the virion-associated envelope glycoprotein complex, to determine the variability of the surrounding surface, and to calculate the surface accessibility of possible glycan- and polypeptide-epitope components. Together, these analyses suggest that the 2G12 epitope is centered on the high-mannose and/or hybrid glycans of residues 295, 332, and 392, with peripheral glycans from 386 and 448 on either flank. The epitope is mannose dependent and composed primarily of carbohydrate, with probably no direct involvement of the gp120 polypeptide surface. It resides on a face orthogonal to the CD4 binding face, on a surface proximal to, but distinct from, that implicated in coreceptor binding. Its conservation amidst an otherwise highly variable gp120 surface suggests a functional role for the 2G12 binding site, perhaps related to the mannose-dependent attachment of HIV-1 to DC-SIGN or related lectins that facilitate virus entry into susceptible target cells.     

Localization of the HIV-1 gp120 conformational epitope recognized by virus neutralizing monoclonal antibodies 2G12

A phage peptide library was used to select peptides interacting with virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAb) 2G12 which recognize a discontinuous surface epitope of HIV-1 gp120. With the published X-ray data, gp120 regions involved in the antigenic determinant were predicted. Binding with mAb 2G12 was ascribed to Trh-297, Phe-383, Tyr-384, Arg-419, Ile-420, Thr-415, Leu-416, Pro-417, Lys-421, and Trp-112. Though distant in the gp120 sequence, these residues are close in space and form the 2G12 epitope on the gp120 surface.     

Conformational epitope on gp120 important in CD4 binding and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 neutralization identified by a human monoclonal antibody.

A human monoclonal antibody designated 15e is reactive with the envelope glycoprotein (gp120) of multiple isolates of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Antibody 15e also neutralizes HIV-1 with broad specificity and blocks gp120 binding to CD4. Characterization of the 15e epitope shows that it is conformation dependent and is distinct from previously recognized functional domains of gp120, suggesting that this epitope represents a novel site important for HIV-1 neutralization and CD4 binding. These findings have implications for the development of a vaccine for AIDS.     

A conserved neutralizing epitope on gp41 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

Vaccination against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) requires an immunogen which will elicit a protective immunity against viruses that show a high degree of genetic polymorphism. Therefore, the identification of neutralizing epitopes which are shared by many strains would be useful. In previous studies, we established a human monoclonal antibody (2F5) that neutralizes a variety of laboratory strains and clinical isolates of HIV-1. In the present report, we define the amino acid sequence Glu-Leu-Asp-Lys-Trp-Ala (ELDKWA) on the ectodomain of gp41 as the epitope recognized by this antibody. The sequence was found to be conserved in 72% of otherwise highly variable HIV-1 isolates. Escape mutants were not detected in cells infected with HIV-1 isolates MN and RF in the presence of antibody 2F5. Since sequence variability of neutralizing epitopes is considered to be a major obstacle to HIV-1 vaccine development, the conserved B-cell epitope described here is a promising candidate for inclusion in a vaccine against AIDS.     

Structure-function analysis of the epitope for 4E10, a broadly neutralizing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 antibody

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) neutralizing antibody 4E10 binds to a linear, highly conserved epitope within the membrane-proximal external region of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp41. We have delineated the peptide epitope of the broadly neutralizing 4E10 antibody to gp41 residues 671 to 683, using peptides with different lengths encompassing the previously suggested core epitope (NWFDIT). Peptide binding to the 4E10 antibody was assessed by competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the K(d) values of selected peptides were determined using surface plasmon resonance. An Ala scan of the epitope indicated that several residues, W672, F673, and T676, are essential (>1,000-fold decrease in binding upon replacement with alanine) for 4E10 recognition. In addition, five other residues, N671, D674, I675, W680, and L679, make significant contributions to 4E10 binding. In general, the Ala scan results agree well with the recently reported crystal structure of 4E10 in complex with a 13-mer peptide and with our circular dichroism analyses. Neutralization competition assays confirmed that the peptide NWFDITNWLWYIKKKK-NH(2) could effectively inhibit 4E10 neutralization. Finally, to limit the conformational flexibility of the peptides, helix-promoting 2-aminoisobutyric acid residues and helix-inducing tethers were incorporated. Several peptides have significantly improved affinity (>1,000-fold) over the starting peptide and, when used as immunogens, may be more likely to elicit 4E10-like neutralizing antibodies. Hence, this study represents the first stage toward iterative development of a vaccine based on the 4E10 epitope.     

Human monoclonal antibody 2G12 defines a distinctive neutralization epitope on the gp120 glycoprotein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

We have isolated and characterized human monoclonal antibody 2G12 to the gp120 surface glycoprotein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). This antibody potently and broadly neutralizes primary and T-cell line-adapted clade B strains of HIV-1 in a peripheral blood mononuclear cell-based assay and inhibits syncytium formation in the AA-2 cell line. Furthermore, 2G12 possesses neutralizing activity against strains from clade A but not from clade E. Complement- and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity-activating functions of 2G12 were also defined. The gp120 epitope recognized by 2G12 was found to be distinctive; binding of 2G12 to LAI recombinant gp120 was abolished by amino acid substitutions removing N-linked carbohydrates in the C2, C3, V4, and C4 regions of gp120. This gp120 mutant recognition pattern has not previously been observed, indicating that the 2G12 epitope is unusual. consistent with this, antibodies able to block 2G12 binding to recombinant gp120 were not detected in significant quantities in 16 HIV-positive human serum samples.     

Resistance to neutralization by broadly reactive antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp120 glycoprotein conferred by a gp41 amino acid change.

A neutralization-resistant variant of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) that emerged during in vitro propagation of the virus in the presence of neutralizing serum from an infected individual has been described. A threonine-for-alanine substitution at position 582 in the gp41 transmembrane envelope glycoprotein of the variant virus was responsible for the neutralization-resistant phenotype (M.S. Reitz, Jr., C. Wilson, C. Naugle, R. C. Gallo, and M. Robert-Guroff, Cell 54:57-63, 1988). The mutant virus also exhibited reduced sensitivity to neutralization by 30% of HIV-1-positive sera that neutralized the parental virus, suggesting that a significant fraction of the neutralizing activity within these sera can be affected by the amino acid change in gp41 (C. Wilson, M. S. Reitz, Jr., K. Aldrich, P. J. Klasse, J. Blomberg, R. C. Gallo, and M. Robert-Guroff, J. Virol. 64:3240-3248, 1990). It is shown here that the change of alanine 582 to threonine specifically confers resistance to neutralizing by antibodies directed against both groups of discontinuous, conserved epitopes related to the CD4 binding site on the gp120 exterior envelope glycoprotein. Only minor differences in binding of these antibodies to wild-type and mutant envelope glycoproteins were observed. Thus, the antigenic structure of gp120 can be subtly affected by an amino acid change in gp41, with important consequences for sensitivity to neutralization.     

Functional mimicry of a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 coreceptor by a neutralizing monoclonal antibody

Interaction of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp120 envelope glycoprotein with the primary receptor, CD4, promotes binding to a chemokine receptor, either CCR5 or CXCR4. The chemokine receptor-binding site on gp120 elicits CD4-induced (CD4i) antibodies in some HIV-1-infected individuals. Like CCR5 itself, the CD4i antibody 412d exhibits a preference for CCR5-using HIV-1 strains and utilizes sulfated tyrosines to achieve binding to gp120. Here, we show that 412d binding requires the gp120 beta19 strand and the base of the V3 loop, elements that are important for the binding of the CCR5 N terminus. Two gp120 residues in the V3 loop base determined 412d preference for CCR5-using HIV-1 strains. A chimeric molecule in which the 412d heavy-chain third complementarity-determining loop sequence replaces the CCR5 N terminus functioned as an efficient second receptor, selectively supporting the entry of CCR5-using HIV-1 strains. Sulfation of N-terminal tyrosines contributed to the function of this chimeric receptor. These results emphasize the close mimicry of the CCR5 N terminus by the gp120-interactive region of a naturally elicited CD4i antibody.     

Molecular features of the broadly neutralizing immunoglobulin G1 b12 required for recognition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp120

IgG1 b12 is a broadly neutralizing antibody against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). The epitope recognized by b12 overlaps the CD4 receptor-binding site (CD4bs) on gp120 and has been a target for vaccine design. Determination of the three-dimensional structure of immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) b12 allowed modeling of the b12-gp120 interaction in which the protruding third complementarity-determining region (CDR) of the heavy chain (H3) was crucial for antibody binding. In the present study, extensive mutational analysis of the antigen-binding site of Fab b12 was carried out to investigate the validity of the model and to identify residues important for gp120 recognition and, by inference, key to the anti-HIV-1 activity of IgG1 b12. In all, 50 mutations were tested: 40 in H3, 4 each in H2 and L1, and 2 in L3. The results suggest that the interaction of gp120 with H3 of b12 is crucially dependent not only on a Trp residue at the apex of the H3 loop but also on a number of residues at the base of the loop. The arrangement of these residues, including aromatic side chains and side chains that hydrogen bond across the base of the loop, may rigidify H3 for penetration of the recessed CD4-binding cavity. The results further emphasize the importance to gp120 binding of a Tyr residue at the apex of the H2 loop that forms a second finger-like structure and a number of Arg residues in L1 that form a positively charged, shelf-like structure. In general, the data are consistent with the b12-gp120 interaction model previously proposed. At the gene level, somatic mutation is seen to be crucial for the generation of many of the structural features described. The Fab b12 mutants were also tested against the b12 epitope-mimic peptide B2.1, and the reactivity profile had many similarities but also significant differences from that observed for gp120. The paratope map of b12 may facilitate the design of molecules that are able to elicit b12-like activities.     

Characterization of mutants of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 that have escaped neutralization by a monoclonal antibody to the gp120 V2 loop.

The biologically cloned human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RF isolate is sensitive to neutralization by the murine monoclonal antibody (MAb) G3-4 to a conformationally sensitive epitope in the V2 loop of HIV-1 gp120. To assess how variation in the V2 amino acid sequence affects neutralization by this MAb, we cultured RF in the presence of G3-4 to select neutralization escape mutants. Three such mutants resistant to G3-4 neutralization were generated from three independent experiments. Solubilized gp120 from each of these escape mutants had a reduced affinity for G3-4 and also for two other V2 MAbs that were able to bind the wild-type RF gp120. PCR sequencing of the entire gp120 of the wild-type RF virus and the escape mutants showed that amino acid substitutions had occurred only at two positions, Y177H and L179P, both in V2. Experimental introduction of the Y177H substitution into the RF V2 loop in the context of the NL4-3 molecular clone re-created the G3-4-resistant phenotype. The L179P mutant was not viable. Thus, our findings confirm that the HIV-1 V2 loop contains the conformationally sensitive neutralization epitope recognized by G3-4 and that a single amino acid substitution within this region can result in escape variants that arise from immune selection pressure.     

Dissecting the neutralizing antibody specificities of broadly neutralizing sera from human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected donors

Attempts to elicit broadly neutralizing antibody responses by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vaccine antigens have been met with limited success. To better understand the requirements for cross-neutralization of HIV-1, we have characterized the neutralizing antibody specificities present in the sera of three asymptomatic individuals exhibiting broad neutralization. Two individuals were infected with clade B viruses and the third with a clade A virus. The broadly neutralizing activity could be exclusively assigned to the protein A-reactive immunoglobulin G (IgG) fraction of all three donor sera. Neutralization inhibition assays performed with a panel of linear peptides corresponding to the third hypervariable (V3) loop of gp120 failed to inhibit serum neutralization of a panel of HIV-1 viruses. The sera also failed to neutralize chimeric simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and HIV-2 viruses displaying highly conserved gp41-neutralizing epitopes, suggesting that antibodies directed against these epitopes likely do not account for the broad neutralizing activity observed. Polyclonal IgG was fractionated on recombinant monomeric clade B gp120, and the neutralization capacities of the gp120-depleted samples were compared to that of the original polyclonal IgG. We found that the gp120-binding antibody population mediated neutralization of some isolates, but not all. Overall, the data suggest that broad neutralization results from more than one specificity in the sera but that the number of these specificities is likely small. The most likely epitope recognized by the monomeric gp120 binding neutralizing fraction is the CD4 binding site, although other epitopes, such as the glycan shield, cannot be excluded.     

Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against human immunodeficiency virus type 2 gp120.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were obtained by immunizing mice with synthetic peptides corresponding to the third variable (V3) or the third conserved (C3) domain of the external envelope protein (gp120) of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2ROD). One MAb, designated B2C, which was raised against V3 peptide NKI26, bound to the surface of HIV-2-infected cells but not to their uninfected counterparts. B2C was capable of neutralizing cell-free and cell-associated virus infection in an isolate-specific fashion. The antibody-binding epitope was mapped to a 6-amino-acid peptide in the V3 variable domain which had the core sequence His-Tyr-Gln. Two MAbs, 2H1B and 2F19C, which were raised against the C3 peptide TND27 reacted with gp120 of HIV-2ROD in a Western immunoblot assay. The C3 epitopes recognized by these two MAbs appeared inaccessible because of their poor reactivity in a surface immunofluorescence assay. Although partial inhibition of syncytium formation was observed in the presence of the anti-C3 MAbs, their neutralizing activity appeared weak. Finally, the effects of these MAbs against CD4-gp120 binding were assessed. Partial inhibition of CD4-gp120 binding was observed in the presence of high concentrations of B2C. On the other hand, no inhibition of CD4-gp120 binding was observed in the presence of anti-C3 MAbs. Since complete neutralization could be achieved at a concentration corresponding to that of partial binding inhibition by B2C, some different mechanisms may be involved in the B2C-mediated neutralization. These results, taken together, indicated that analogous to the function of the V3 region of HIV-1, the V3 region of HIV-2ROD contained at least a type-specific fusion-inhibiting neutralizing epitope. In this respect, the V3 sequence of HIV-2 may be a useful target in an animal model for HIV vaccine development.     

An engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain binds the broadly neutralizing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 antibody 2G12 and elicits mannose-specific gp120-binding antibodies

The glycan shield of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope (Env) protein serves as a barrier to antibody-mediated neutralization and plays a critical role in transmission and infection. One of the few broadly neutralizing HIV-1 antibodies, 2G12, binds to a carbohydrate epitope consisting of an array of high-mannose glycans exposed on the surface of the gp120 subunit of the Env protein. To produce proteins with exclusively high-mannose carbohydrates, we generated a mutant strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by deleting three genes in the N-glycosylation pathway, Och1, Mnn1, and Mnn4. Glycan profiling revealed that N-glycans produced by this mutant were almost exclusively Man(8)GlcNAc(2), and four endogenous glycoproteins that were efficiently recognized by the 2G12 antibody were identified. These yeast proteins, like HIV-1 gp120, contain a large number and high density of N-linked glycans, with glycosidase digestion abrogating 2G12 cross-reactivity. Immunization of rabbits with whole Delta och1 Delta mnn1 Delta mnn4 yeast cells produced sera that recognized a broad range of HIV-1 and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) Env glycoproteins, despite no HIV/SIV-related proteins being used in the immunization procedure. Analyses of one of these sera on a glycan array showed strong binding to glycans with terminal Man alpha1,2Man residues, and binding to gp120 was abrogated by glycosidase removal of high-mannose glycans and terminal Man alpha1,2Man residues, similar to 2G12. Since S. cerevisiae is genetically pliable and can be grown easily and inexpensively, it will be possible to produce new immunogens that recapitulate the 2G12 epitope and may make the glycan shield of HIV Env a practical target for vaccine development.     

Epitope mapping of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp120 with monoclonal antibodies.

A soluble form of recombinant gp120 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 was used as an immunogen for production of murine monoclonal antibodies. These monoclonal antibodies were characterized for their ability to block the interaction between gp120 and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome virus receptor, CD4. Three of the monoclonal antibodies were found to inhibit this interaction, whereas the other antibodies were found to be ineffective at blocking binding. The gp120 epitopes which are recognized by these monoclonal antibodies were mapped by using a combination of Western blot (immunoblot) analysis of gp120 proteolytic fragments, immunoaffinity purification of fragments of gp120, and antibody screening of a random gp120 gene fragment expression library produced in the lambda gt11 expression system. Two monoclonal antibodies which blocked gp120-CD4 interaction were found to map to adjacent sites in the carboxy-terminal region of the glycoprotein, suggesting that this area is important in the interaction between gp120 and CD4. One nonblocking antibody was found to map to a position that was C terminal to this CD4 blocking region. Interestingly, the other nonblocking monoclonal antibodies were found to map either to a highly conserved region in the central part of the gp120 polypeptide or to a highly conserved region near the N terminus of the glycoprotein. N-terminal deletion mutants of the soluble envelope glycoprotein which lack these highly conserved domains but maintain the C-terminal CD4 interaction sites were unable to bind tightly to the CD4 receptor. These results suggest that although the N-terminal and central conserved domains of intact gp120 do not appear to be directly required for CD4 binding, they may contain information that allows other parts of the molecule to form the appropriate structure for CD4 interaction.     

Fine definition of the epitope on the gp41 glycoprotein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 for the neutralizing monoclonal antibody 2F5

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), in combination with proteolytic protection assays, has been used to identify the functional epitope on human immunodeficiency virus envelope glycoprotein gp41 for the broadly neutralizing anti-gp41 human monoclonal antibody 2F5. In this protection assay-based procedure, a soluble gp140 protein with a stabilizing intermolecular disulfide bond between the gp120 and gp41 subunits (SOS gp140) was affinity bound to immobilized 2F5 under physiological conditions. A combination of proteolytic enzymatic cleavages was then performed to remove unprotected residues. Residues of SOS gp140 protected by their binding to 2F5 were then identified based on their molecular weights as determined by direct MALDI-MS of the immobilized antibody beads. The epitope, NEQELLELDKWASLWN, determined by this MALDI-MS protection assay approach consists of 16 amino acid residues near the C terminus of gp41. It is significantly longer than the ELDKWA core epitope previously determined for 2F5 by peptide enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This new knowledge of the structure of the 2F5 epitope may facilitate the design of vaccine antigens intended to induce antibodies with the breadth and potency of action of the 2F5 monoclonal antibody.     

Characterization and epitope mapping of a human monoclonal antibody reactive with the envelope glycoprotein of human immunodeficiency virus

A human monoclonal antibody (IgG2, lambda), 1B8.env, was produced, reactive with the envelope glycoprotein of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The antibody specifically stains cells infected with HIV, as assessed by indirect immunofluorescence analysis and reacts with determinants displayed on the surface of infected cells. In Western blot analysis, the antibody reacts with bands of 160 and 41 kD, consistent with the precursor and transmembrane forms of the HIV envelope glycoprotein. The antibody also reacts specifically in immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis with cells infected with the recombinant vaccinia virus VSC-25, which contains the envelope gene of HIV. With the lambda gt11 expression vector, the epitope recognized by 1B8.env was mapped to a region of 11 amino acids in the coding region of gp41. This domain is highly conserved between several otherwise highly variable HIV isolates. In addition, this epitope appears to be recognized by the vast majority of HIV seropositive individuals. Although antibody IB8.env does not neutralize HIV virion infectivity or virally mediated cell fusion, the results presented here demonstrate the feasibility of generating and characterizing human monoclonal antibodies to HIV with these techniques. Additional antibodies produced in this manner will help to further characterize the humoral response to HIV infection, define biologically significant determinants on HIV proteins, and may be useful in clinical applications.     

Characterization of discontinuous epitope of prion protein recognized by the monoclonal antibody T2

The anti-prion protein (PrP) monoclonal antibody T2 has previously been prepared using PrP-knockout mice immunized with mouse recombinant PrP residues 121-231, however its interaction mechanism to PrP antigen has not been cleared. Here we identified and characterized the epitope of T2 antibody. The competitive ELISA with 20-mer synthetic peptides derived from PrP121-231 showed that T2 antibody had no affinity for these peptides. The analysis with deletion mutants of PrP revealed that 10 amino acids in the N terminus and 66 amino acids in the C terminus of PrP121-231 were necessary for reactivity with T2. Two far regions are necessary for complete affinity of the T2 antibody for PrP; either region alone is not sufficient to retain the affinity. The epitope recognized by T2 antibody is discontinuous and conformational. We examined the effect of disulfide bond and salt bridges. Alkylation of cysteine residues in C terminus of PrP121-231, which breaks a disulfide bond and disrupts the structure, had diminished the reactivity. Mutations induced in the PrP121-231 to break the disulfide bond or salt bridges, markedly had reduced the reactivity with T2 antibody. It suggests that T2 antibody recognized the structure maintained by the disulfide bond and salt bridges.     

Characterization of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp120 binding to liposomes containing galactosylceramide.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infects some cell types which lack CD4, demonstrating that one or more alternative viral receptors exist. One such receptor is galactosylceramide (GalCer), a glycosphingolipid distributed widely in the nervous system and in colonic epithelial cells. Using a liposome flotation assay, we found that the HIV-1 surface glycoprotein, gp120, quantitatively bound to liposomes containing GalCer but not to liposomes containing phospholipids and cholesterol alone. Binding was saturable and was inhibited by preincubating liposomes with anti-GalCer antibodies. We observed less efficient binding of gp120 to liposomes containing lactosylceramide, glucosylceramide, and galactosylsulfate, whereas no binding to liposomes containing mixed gangliosides, psychosine, or sphingomyelin was detected. Binding to GalCer was rapid, largely independent of temperature and pH, and stable to conditions which remove most peripheral membrane proteins. By contrast, gp120 bound to lactosylceramide could be removed by 2 M potassium chloride or 3 M potassium thiocyanate, demonstrating a less stable interaction. Removal of N-linked oligosaccharides on gp120 did not affect binding efficiency. However, as previously observed for CD4 binding, heat denaturation of gp120 prevented binding to GalCer. Finally, binding was critically dependent on the concentration of GalCer in the target membrane, suggesting that binding to glycolipid-rich domains occurs and that GalCer conformation may be important for gp120 recognition.     

A novel human antibody against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp120 is V1, V2, and V3 loop dependent and helps delimit the epitope of the broadly neutralizing antibody immunoglobulin G1 b12

The V1/V2 and V3 loops are proximal to the CD4 binding site (CD4bs) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp120 and undergo conformational change upon CD4 receptor engagement by the HIV-1 envelope spike. Nearly all of the reported monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against the CD4bs exhibit a very limited capacity to neutralize HIV-1. However, one such human MAb, immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) b12, is uniquely able to neutralize primary isolates across subtypes with considerable potency. The molecular basis for the anti-HIV-1 activity of b12 is not fully understood but is relevant to vaccine design. Here we describe a novel human MAb, 4KG5, whose binding to monomeric gp120 is moderately enhanced by IgG1 b12. In sharp contrast, 4KG5 binding to gp120 is inhibited by soluble CD4 (sCD4) and by all other (n = 14) anti-CD4bs MAbs tested. 4KG5 is unable to recognize gp120 in which either V1, V2, or V3 has been deleted, and MAbs against the V2 or V3 loops inhibit the binding of 4KG5 to gp120. Moreover, 4KG5 is able to inhibit the binding of the CD4-induced MAbs 17b and X5 in the absence of sCD4, whereas 17b and X5 only weakly inhibit the binding of 4KG5 to gp120. Mutagenesis of gp120 provides further evidence of a discontinuous epitope of 4KG5 that is formed by the V1/V2 loop, the V3 loop, and a portion of the bridging sheet (C4). 4KG5 was isolated as a single-chain Fv from a phage display library constructed from the bone marrow of an HIV-1-seropositive subject (FDA2) whose serum neutralizes HIV-1 across subtypes. Despite its source, we observed no significant neutralization with 4KG5 against the autologous (R2) virus and several other strains of HIV-1. The results suggest a model in which antibody access to the CD4bs on the envelope spike of HIV-1 is restricted by the orientation and/or dynamics of the V1/V2 and V3 loops, and b12 avoids these restrictions.