AT-2灭活HIV-1病毒及纯化回收鉴定

目的制备具备完整空间构型且纯度在90%以上的灭活HIV-1病毒,用于HIV疫苗研究。方法应用化学制剂2,2’-dithiodipyridine（aldrithiol-2;AT-2）灭活HIV-1病毒,对灭活的病毒超速离心浓缩并洗涤去除灭活用的化学制剂AT-2。采用分子筛技术去除灭活病毒中残存的杂质蛋白质。结果 250μmol/L AT-2与HIV-137℃作用1 h可以彻底灭活病毒的感染性,同时保留病毒的免疫原性。灭活的病毒纯化后检测不到AT-2的残留,检测牛血清蛋白残余量低于50 ng/mL。结论灭活的HIV-1病毒经过纯化后纯度达到95.6%,可以满足作为HIV疫苗研究的免疫刺激剂的使用要求。     

The retroviral capsid domain dictates virion size, morphology, and coassembly of gag into virus-like particles

The retroviral structural protein, Gag, is capable of independently assembling into virus-like particles (VLPs) in living cells and in vitro. Immature VLPs of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) are morphologically distinct when viewed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). To better understand the nature of the Gag-Gag interactions leading to these distinctions, we constructed vectors encoding several RSV/HIV-1 chimeric Gag proteins for expression in either insect cells or vertebrate cells. We used TEM, confocal fluorescence microscopy, and a novel correlative scanning EM (SEM)-confocal microscopy technique to study the assembly properties of these proteins. Most chimeric proteins assembled into regular VLPs, with the capsid (CA) domain being the primary determinant of overall particle diameter and morphology. The presence of domains between matrix and CA also influenced particle morphology by increasing the spacing between the inner electron-dense ring and the VLP membrane. Fluorescently tagged versions of wild-type RSV, HIV-1, or murine leukemia virus Gag did not colocalize in cells. However, wild-type Gag proteins colocalized extensively with chimeric Gag proteins bearing the same CA domain, implying that Gag interactions are mediated by CA. A dramatic example of this phenomenon was provided by a nuclear export-deficient chimera of RSV Gag carrying the HIV-1 CA domain, which by itself localized to the nucleus but relocalized to the cytoplasm in the presence of wild type HIV-1 Gag. Wild-type and chimeric Gag proteins were capable of coassembly into a single VLP as viewed by correlative fluorescence SEM if, and only if, the CA domain was derived from the same virus. These results imply that the primary selectivity of Gag-Gag interactions is determined by the CA domain.     

First Phase I human clinical trial of a killed whole-HIV-1 vaccine: demonstration of its safety and enhancement of anti-HIV antibody responses

Background

Vaccination with inactivated (killed) whole-virus particles has been used to prevent a wide range of viral diseases. However, for an HIV vaccine this approach has been largely negated due to inherent safety concerns, despite the ability of killed whole-virus vaccines to generate a strong, predominantly antibody-mediated immune response in vivo. HIV-1 Clade B NL4-3 was genetically modified by deleting the nef and vpu genes and substituting the coding sequence for the Env signal peptide with that of honeybee melittin signal peptide to produce a less virulent and more replication efficient virus. This genetically modified virus (gmHIV-1_NL4-3) was inactivated and formulated as a killed whole-HIV vaccine, and then used for a Phase I human clinical trial (Trial Registration: Clinical Trials NCT01546818). The gmHIV-1_NL4-3 was propagated in the A3.01 human T cell line followed by virus purification and inactivation with aldrithiol-2 and γ-irradiation. Thirty-three HIV-1 positive volunteers receiving cART were recruited for this observer-blinded, placebo-controlled Phase I human clinical trial to assess the safety and immunogenicity.

Results

Genetically modified and killed whole-HIV-1 vaccine, SAV001, was well tolerated with no serious adverse events. HIV-1_NL4-3-specific PCR showed neither evidence of vaccine virus replication in the vaccine virus-infected human T lymphocytes in vitro nor in the participating volunteers receiving SAV001 vaccine. Furthermore, SAV001 with adjuvant significantly increased the pre-existing antibody response to HIV-1 proteins. Antibodies in the plasma of vaccinees were also found to recognize HIV-1 envelope protein on the surface of infected cells as well as showing an enhancement of broadly neutralizing antibodies inhibiting tier I and II of HIV-1 B, D, and A subtypes.

Conclusion

The killed whole-HIV vaccine, SAV001, is safe and triggers anti-HIV immune responses. It remains to be determined through an appropriate trial whether this immune response prevents HIV infection.

     

Structure of the myristylated human immunodeficiency virus type 2 matrix protein and the role of phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate in membrane targeting

During the late phase of retroviral replication, newly synthesized Gag proteins are targeted to the plasma membrane (PM), where they assemble and bud to form immature virus particles. Membrane targeting by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Gag is mediated by the PM marker molecule phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P₂], which is capable of binding to the matrix (MA) domain of Gag in an extended lipid conformation and of triggering myristate exposure. Here, we show that, as observed previously for HIV-1 MA, the myristyl group of HIV-2 MA is partially sequestered within a narrow hydrophobic tunnel formed by side chains of helices 1, 2, 3, and 5. However, the myristate of HIV-2 MA is more tightly sequestered than that of the HIV-1 protein and does not exhibit concentration-dependent exposure. Soluble PI(4,5)P₂ analogs containing truncated acyl chains bind HIV-2 MA and induce minor long-range structural changes but do not trigger myristate exposure. Despite these differences, the site of HIV-2 assembly in vivo can be manipulated by enzymes that regulate PI(4,5)P₂ localization. Our findings indicate that HIV-1 and HIV-2 are both targeted to the PM for assembly via a PI(4,5)P₂-dependent mechanism, despite differences in the sensitivity of the MA myristyl switch, and suggest a potential mechanism that may contribute to the poor replication kinetics of HIV-2.     

Interaction of human plasma fibronectin with viral proteins of human immunodeficiency virus

Abstract Fibronectin (FN) is present in soluble and matrix forms in various body fluids and tissues, and has been shown to bind to several pathogens, including viruses. The interaction of FN with viral proteins of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) was investigated by immunofluorescence technique using a cell line chronically infected with HIV-1 (H9-V). The results of this study showed that FN binds to HIV-1 infected cells. especially at FN concentration of 5 μg/ml. In addition, FN-pentapeptide has shown the ability to bind to HIV-1 infected cells. On the other hand, preincubation with antibodies against FN abolished the binding of FN to HIV-1 infected cells. Finally, FN has shown to bind to HIV-1 glycoproteins, including gp41 and pg120. In contrast, no binding to HIV-1 core proteins, including p15 and p24, was noted. We suggest that FN, in binding HIV-1 particles, may reduce viremia and thus may be involved in the clearance of viral proteins from the cells.     

Alternative splicing of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 mRNA modulates viral protein expression, replication, and infectivity.

Multiple RNA splicing sites exist within human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) genomic RNA, and these sites enable the synthesis of many mRNAs for each of several viral proteins. We evaluated the biological significance of the alternatively spliced mRNA species during productive HIV-1 infections of peripheral blood lymphocytes and human T-cell lines to determine the potential role of alternative RNA splicing in the regulation of HIV-1 replication and infection. First, we used a semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction of cDNAs that were radiolabeled for gel analysis to determine the relative abundance of the diverse array of alternatively spliced HIV-1 mRNAs. The predominant rev, tat, vpr, and env RNAs contained a minimum of noncoding sequence, but the predominant nef mRNAs were incompletely spliced and invariably included noncoding exons. Second, the effect of altered RNA processing was measured following mutagenesis of the major 5' splice donor and several cryptic, constitutive, and competing 3' splice acceptor motifs of HIV-1NL4-3. Mutations that ablated constitutive splice sites led to the activation of new cryptic sites; some of these preserved biological function. Mutations that ablated competing splice acceptor sites caused marked alterations in the pool of virus-derived mRNAs and, in some instances, in virus infectivity and/or the profile of virus proteins. The redundant RNA splicing signals in the HIV-1 genome and alternatively spliced mRNAs provides a mechanism for regulating the relative proportions of HIV-1 proteins and, in some cases, viral infectivity.     

Truncation of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoprotein allows efficient pseudotyping of Moloney murine leukemia virus particles and gene transfer into CD4+ cells.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) can readily accept envelope (Env) glycoproteins from distantly related retroviruses. However, we previously showed that the HIV-1 Env glycoprotein complex is excluded even from particles formed by the Gag proteins of another lentivirus, visna virus, unless the matrix domain of the visna virus Gag polyprotein is replaced by that of HIV-1. We also showed that the integrity of the HIV-1 matrix domain is critical for the incorporation of wild-type HIV-1 Env protein but not for the incorporation of a truncated form which lacks the 144 C-terminal amino acids of the cytoplasmic domain of the transmembrane glycoprotein. We report here that the C-terminal truncation of the transmembrane glycoprotein also allows the efficient incorporation of HIV-1 Env proteins into viral particles formed by the Gag proteins of the widely divergent Moloney murine leukemia virus (Mo-MLV). Additionally, pseudotyping of a Mo-MLV-based vector with the truncated rather than the full-length HIV-1 Env allowed efficient transduction of human CD4+ cells. These results establish that Mo-MLV-based vectors can be used to target cells susceptible to infection by HIV-1.     

HIV-1, lipid rafts, and antibodies to liposomes: implications for anti-viral-neutralizing antibodies

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is an enveloped virus with a lipid bilayer that contains several glycoproteins that are anchored in, or closely associated with, the membrane surface. The envelope proteins have complex interactions with the lipids both on the host cells and on the target cells. The processes of budding from host cells and entry into target cells occur at sites on the plasma membrane, known as lipid rafts, that represent specialized regions that are rich in cholesterol and sphingolipids. Although the envelope glycoproteins are antigenic molecules that potentially might be used for development of broadly neutralizing antibodies in a vaccine to HIV-1, the development of such antibodies that have broad specificities against primary field isolates of virus has been largely thwarted to date by the ability of the envelope proteins to evade the immune system through various mechanisms. In this review, the interactions of HIV-1 with membrane lipids are summarized. Liposomes are commonly used as models for understanding interactions of proteins with membrane lipids; and liposomes have also been used both as carriers for vaccines, and as antigens for induction of antibodies to liposomal lipids. The possibility is proposed that liposomal lipids, or liposome-protein combinations, could be useful as antigens for inducing broadly neutralizing antibodies to HIV-1.     

Preparation,characterization and immunogenicity of HIV-1 related high-mannose oligosaccharides-CRM<Subscript>197</Subscript> glycoconjugates

The dense glycan shield on the surface of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp120 masks conserved protein epitopes and facilitates virus entry via interaction to glycan binding proteins on susceptible host cells. The broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibody 2G12 binds a cluster of high-mannose oligosaccharides on the gp120 subunit of HIV-1 Env protein. This oligomannose epitope is currently being considered for the design of a synthetic vaccine. The cluster nature of the 2G12 epitope suggests that a multivalent antigen presentation is important to develop a carbohydrate-based vaccine candidate. In this work we describe the development of neoglycoconjugates displaying clustered HIV-1 related oligomannose carbohydrates. We exploited flexible polyamidoamine (PAMAM) scaffold to generate four- and eight-valent sugar clusters of HIV-1-related oligomannose antigens Man₄, Man₆ and Man₉. The multivalent presentation of oligomannoses increased the avidity of Man₄ and Man₉ to 2G12. The synthetic glycodendrons were then covalently coupled to the protein carrier CRM₁₉₇, formulated with the adjuvant MF59, and used to immunize two animal species. Oligomannose-specific IgG antibodies were generated; however, the antisera failed to recognize recombinant HIV-1 gp120 proteins. We conclude that further structural vaccinology work is needed to identify an antigen presentation that closely matches in vivo the structure of the epitope mapped by 2G12.     

HIV-1, lipid rafts,and antibodies to liposomes: implications for anti-viral-neutralizing antibodies (Review)

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is an enveloped virus with a lipid bilayer that contains several glycoproteins that are anchored in, or closely associated with, the membrane surface. The envelope proteins have complex interactions with the lipids both on the host cells and on the target cells. The processes of budding from host cells and entry into target cells occur at sites on the plasma membrane, known as lipid rafts, that represent specialized regions that are rich in cholesterol and sphingolipids. Although the envelope glycoproteins are antigenic molecules that potentially might be used for development of broadly neutralizing antibodies in a vaccine to HIV-1, the development of such antibodies that have broad specificities against primary field isolates of virus has been largely thwarted to date by the ability of the envelope proteins to evade the immune system through various mechanisms. In this review, the interactions of HIV-1 with membrane lipids are summarized. Liposomes are commonly used as models for understanding interactions of proteins with membrane lipids; and liposomes have also been used both as carriers for vaccines, and as antigens for induction of antibodies to liposomal lipids. The possibility is proposed that liposomal lipids, or liposome-protein combinations, could be useful as antigens for inducing broadly neutralizing antibodies to HIV-1.     

Utilization of chemokine receptors, orphan receptors, and herpesvirus-encoded receptors by diverse human and simian immunodeficiency viruses.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) requires both CD4 and a coreceptor to infect cells. Macrophage-tropic (M-tropic) HIV-1 strains utilize the chemokine receptor CCR5 in conjunction with CD4 to infect cells, while T-cell-tropic (T-tropic) strains generally utilize CXCR4 as a coreceptor. Some viruses can use both CCR5 and CXCR4 for virus entry (i.e., are dual-tropic), while other chemokine receptors can be used by a subset of virus strains. Due to the genetic diversity of HIV-1, HIV-2, and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and the potential for chemokine receptors other than CCR5 or CXCR4 to influence viral pathogenesis, we tested a panel of 28 HIV-1, HIV-2, and SIV envelope (Env) proteins for the ability to utilize chemokine receptors, orphan receptors, and herpesvirus-encoded chemokine receptor homologs by membrane fusion and virus infection assays. While all Env proteins used either CCR5 or CXCR4 or both, several also used CCR3. Use of CCR3 was strongly dependent on its surface expression levels, with a larger number of viral Env proteins being able to utilize this coreceptor at the higher levels of surface expression. ChemR1, an orphan receptor recently shown to bind the CC chemokine I309 (and therefore renamed CCR8), was expressed in monocyte and lymphocyte cell populations and functioned as a coreceptor for diverse HIV-1, HIV-2, and SIV Env proteins. Use of ChemR1/CCR8 by SIV strains was dependent in part on V3 loop sequences. The orphan receptor V28 supported Env-mediated cell-cell fusion by four T- or dual-tropic HIV-1 and HIV-2 strains. Three additional orphan receptors failed to function for any of the 28 Env proteins tested. Likewise, five of six seven-transmembrane-domain receptors encoded by herpesviruses did not support Env-mediated membrane fusion. However, the chemokine receptor US28, encoded by cytomegalovirus, did support inefficient infection by two HIV-1 strains. These findings indicate that additional chemokine receptors can function as HIV and SIV coreceptors and that surface expression levels can strongly influence coreceptor use.     

Enhanced binding of antibodies to neutralization epitopes following thermal and chemical inactivation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1

Inactivation of viral particles is the basis for several vaccines currently in use. Initial attempts to use simian immunodeficiency virus to model a killed human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vaccine were unsuccessful, and limited subsequent effort has been directed toward a systematic study of the requirements for a protective killed HIV-1 vaccine. Recent insights into HIV-1 virion and glycoprotein structure and neutralization epitopes led us to revisit whether inactivated HIV-1 particles could serve as the basis for an HIV-1 vaccine. Our results indicate that relatively simple processes involving thermal and chemical inactivation can inactivate HIV-1 by at least 7 logs. For some HIV-1 strains, significant amounts of envelope glycoproteins are retained in high-molecular-weight fractions. Importantly, we demonstrate retention of each of three conformation-dependent neutralization epitopes. Moreover, reactivity of monoclonal antibodies directed toward these epitopes is increased following treatment, suggesting greater exposure of the epitopes. In contrast, treatment of free envelope under the same conditions leads only to decreased antibody recognition. These inactivated virions can also be presented by human dendritic cells to direct a cell-mediated immune response in vitro. These data indicate that a systematic study of HIV-1 inactivation, gp120 retention, and epitope reactivity with conformation-specific neutralizing antibodies can provide important insights for the development of an effective killed HIV-1 vaccine.     

Pharmacological cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors inhibit replication of wild-type and drug-resistant strains of herpes simplex virus and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 by targeting cellular,not viral,proteins

Pharmacological cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) inhibitors (PCIs) block replication of several viruses, including herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Yet, these antiviral effects could result from inhibition of either cellular cdks or viral enzymes. For example, in addition to cellular cdks, PCIs could inhibit any of the herpesvirus-encoded kinases, DNA replication proteins, or proteins involved in nucleotide metabolism. To address this issue, we asked whether purine-derived PCIs (P-PCIs) inhibit HSV and HIV-1 replication by targeting cellular or viral proteins. P-PCIs inhibited replication of HSV-1 and -2 and HIV-1, which require cellular cdks to replicate, but not vaccinia virus or lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, which are not known to require cdks to replicate. P-PCIs also inhibited strains of HSV-1 and HIV-1 that are resistant to conventional antiviral drugs, which target viral proteins. In addition, the anti-HSV effects of P-PCIs and a conventional antiherpesvirus drug, acyclovir, were additive, demonstrating that the two drugs act by distinct mechanisms. Lastly, the spectrum of proteins that bound to P-PCIs in extracts of mock- and HSV-infected cells was the same. Based on these observations, we conclude that P-PCIs inhibit virus replication by targeting cellular, not viral, proteins.     

CD4+ T-Lymphocyte Depletion in Human Lymphoid Tissue Ex Vivo Is Not Induced by Noninfectious Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Virions

We tested infectious human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), noninfectious but conformationally authentic inactivated whole HIV-1 virions, and purified gp120 for the ability to induce depletion of CD4⁺ T cells in human lymphoid tissues ex vivo. Infectious CXCR4-tropic HIV-1, but not matched inactivated virions or gp120, mediated CD4⁺ T-cell depletion, consistent with mechanisms requiring productive infection.     

The distribution of CTL epitopes in HIV-1 appears to be random, and similar to that of other proteomes

Background  

HIV-1 viruses are highly capable of mutating their proteins to escape the presentation of CTL epitopes in their current host. Upon transmission to another host, some escape mutations revert, but other remain stable in the virus sequence for at least several years. Depending on the rate of accumulation and reversion of escape mutations, HIV-1 could reach a high level of adaptation to the human population. Yusim et. al. hypothesized that the apparent clustering of CTL epitopes in the conserved regions of HIV-1 proteins could be an evolutionary signature left by large-scale adaptation of HIV-1 to its human/simian host.     

Molecules from apoptotic pathways modulate HIV-1 replication in Jurkat cells

The replication of viruses involves control of some aspects of host cell homeostasis by modification of target cell metabolism and regulation of the apoptotic machinery. It is not well known whether molecules involved in apoptotic pathways affect human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication and regulate viral yields. Using the susceptible Jurkat cell line, we studied the relationship of apoptosis-associated molecules with HIV-1 virus production using a sensitive real-time RT-PCR assay. Here, we found that expression of proapoptotic proteins, including Fas ligand (FasL), FADD, or p53 significantly increased HIV-1 virus production. In contrast, the expression of antiapoptotic molecules, such as FLIP, Bcl-X_L, and XIAP, decreased HIV-1 virus production. Knockdown of Bax with siRNA and FADD with expression of its antisense mRNA also inhibited viral replication and the caspase-3 inhibitor, Z-DEVD, and decreased virus production. These data indicate that HIV-1 infection regulates the apoptosis process to facilitate viral replication and inhibition of apoptosis may inhibit HIV-1 replication and cytopathogenesis. We also discuss the effects of MAPK signaling pathways and apoptosis on HIV-1 replication.     

A Bipartite Membrane-Binding Signal in the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Matrix Protein Is Required for the Proteolytic Processing of Gag Precursors in a Cell Type-Dependent Manner

It is unclear whether proteolytic processing of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Gag protein is dependent on virus assembly at the plasma membrane. Mutations that prevent myristylation of HIV-1 Gag proteins have been shown to block virus assembly and release from the plasma membrane of COS cells but do not prevent processing of Gag proteins. In contrast, in HeLa cells similar mutations abolished processing of Gag proteins as well as virus production. We have now addressed this issue with CD4⁺ T cells, which are natural target cells of HIV-1. In these cells, myristylation of Gag proteins was required for proteolytic processing of Gag proteins and production of extracellular viral particles. This result was not due to a lack of expression of the viral protease in the form of a Gag-Pol precursor or a lack of interaction between unmyristylated Gag and Gag-Pol precursors. The processing defect of unmyristylated Gag was partially rescued ex vivo by coexpression with wild-type myristylated Gag proteins in HeLa cells. The cell type-dependent processing of HIV-1 Gag precursors was also observed when another part of the plasma membrane binding signal, a polybasic region in the matrix protein, was mutated. The processing of unmyristylated Gag precursors was inhibited in COS cells by HIV-1 protease inhibitors. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that the processing of HIV-1 Gag precursors in CD4⁺ T cells occurs normally at the plasma membrane during viral morphogenesis. The intracellular environment of COS cells presumably allows activation of the viral protease and proteolytic processing of HIV-1 Gag proteins in the absence of plasma membrane binding.     

Amplification of the Inflammatory Cellular Redox State by Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Immunosuppressive Tat and gp160 Proteins

In the course of our studies on oxidative stress as a component of pathological processes in humans, we showed that microintrusion into cells with microcapillary and ultramicroelectrochemical detection could mimic many types of mechanical intrusion leading to an instant (0.1 s) and high (some femtomoles) burst release of H₂O₂. Specific inhibitors of NADPH enzymes seem to support the assumption that this enzyme is one of the main targets of our experiments. Also, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp160 inhibits the cooperative response of uninfected T cells as well as Tat protein release by infected cells does. In this study, we analyzed in real time, lymphocyte per lymphocyte, the T-cell response following activation in relation to the redox state. We showed that the immunosuppressive effects of HIV-1 Tat and gp160 proteins and oxidative stress are correlated, since the native but not the inactivated Tat and gp160 proteins inhibit the cellular immune response and enhance oxidative stress. These results are consistent with a role of the membrane NADPH oxidase in the cellular response to immune activation.     

Retroviruses human immunodeficiency virus and murine leukemia virus are enriched in phosphoinositides

Retroviruses acquire a lipid envelope during budding from the membrane of their hosts. Therefore, the composition of this envelope can provide important information about the budding process and its location. Here, we present mass spectrometry analysis of the lipid content of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and murine leukemia virus (MLV). The results of this comprehensive survey found that the overall lipid content of these viruses mostly matched that of the plasma membrane, which was considerably different from the total lipid content of the cells. However, several lipids are enriched in comparison to the composition of the plasma membrane: (i) cholesterol, ceramide, and GM3; and (ii) phosphoinositides, phosphorylated derivatives of phosphatidylinositol. Interestingly, microvesicles, which are similar in size to viruses and are also released from the cell periphery, lack phosphoinositides, suggesting a different budding mechanism/location for these particles than for retroviruses. One phosphoinositide, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P₂], has been implicated in membrane binding by HIV Gag. Consistent with this observation, we found that PI(4,5)P₂ was enriched in HIV-1 and that depleting this molecule in cells reduced HIV-1 budding. Analysis of mutant virions mapped the enrichment of PI(4,5)P₂ to the matrix domain of HIV Gag. Overall, these results suggest that HIV-1 and other retroviruses bud from cholesterol-rich regions of the plasma membrane and exploit matrix/PI(4,5)P₂ interactions for particle release from cells.